College News

The $10,000 grant will allow me to buy a food truck.” Yet, it’s the one-on-one coaching from digital experts that offers real long-term impact.  “A team of people from Pepsico has been working with me for weeks,” Imelda said of her website upgrades. “Visitors can now place orders on my website.” Pepsico’s David Hamilton added: “The digital coaching supports how the Jefa-owned businesses show up online.  We help owners with the avenues like the add-on feature, which helps drive revenue with online sales.”  Pepsico’s $50 million investment over a five-year period offers select businesses to work with a team of advisors to level up delivery logistics, technology, marketing, and Search Engine Optimization. 

Although the housing crisis has made housing unfathomable for millions of Americans, the housing crisis is felt acutely by community college students. In 2020, 52% of all community college students reported experiencing housing insecurity, where housing often costs more than tuition. Housing insecurity includes unaffordable housing, poor housing quality, crowding, and frequent moves.

"I bleed blue and gold," said Sarah Nunez, a Phoenix College (PC) ambassador, honors student, and Student Success Specialist. "I absolutely love this school. It's changed my life." Sarah's positivity and calm demeanor belie the many challenges she has faced.

Ashley opens the door and welcomes students as they cross the hardwood floor to retrieve plum-colored yoga mats, bright blue yoga blocks, multi-colored bolsters, and gray wool blankets from the tall metal shelves along the white block wall. Ashley carefully unpacks the crystal singing bowls from their protective case and instructs students in her soothing voice: "Take what you need."

The all-day event included the morning esports tournament and the afternoon NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship event, which included a college area for students to explore. Maldonado explained, "It's the vision of esports to be able to do more tournaments, especially at a state level, to compete against these other colleges." NASCAR has agreed to offer more esports tournaments moving forward.

Phoenix College (PC) is scheduled to launch two bachelor's degree programs, in Information Technology and Public Safety Administration next fall.

PC Women's Soccer Team claimed the program's second NJCAA Division II national title at the championship series in November. Phoenix was the No. 2 seed going into the tournament, beating No. 11 South Suburban and No. 7 Southwestern Illinois for a spot in the semifinals. The second semifinal saw No. 2 Phoenix get past No. 4 Northwest Mississippi 2-0 to set-up a rematch of the 2020 NJCAA DII Women's Soccer Championship match with Holmes. 

Hardwood floors, freshly waxed, squeak under pivoting sneakers, absorbing the rhythmic shock of the ball bouncing its way down the court. The backboard takes a hit as the leather ball finds its home into the net; the glowing scoreboard comes to life and points are re-tallied. A scent of salt and sweat permeates the hall. Finally, a buzzer’s low blast signals a stop in play. The crowd erupts into cheers, their enthusiasm reverberating around the solid brick walls of the gymnasium.

By age eight, Kimberly Britt had been beaten, knocked to the floor, and kicked in the ribs by a man wearing steel-toed boots. He was angry; so very angry.  She had also experienced sexual abuse.  And, sometimes, the only food in the house was her baby sister’s cereal, which as Kimberly recalled, tasted like cardboard.

When Nate Damian was a middle school student, he sought out a dual enrollment high school program to give him college experience and save him money on tuition. When he missed the application deadline for a school near his house, he recalled Phoenix College Preparatory Academy's booth at his middle school's high school fair. Nate applied and began attending Phoenix College Preparatory Academy (PCPA) in 2017. In tandem with his high school classes, Nate completed seven college courses by the time he graduated high school in 2021. He finished his Associate Degree at Phoenix College in 2022, just one year later.