College programs, students showcased during AWC's Day at the Capitol
February 2, 2022Group from AWC meets with Senators Kerr and Otondo as well as Representatives Dunn, John, and Fernandez
Yuma, AZ (February 2, 2022) – Arizona Western College leadership, a Law Enforcement Training Academy graduate, and a student currently enrolled in the Manufacturing program visited the Arizona Capitol building on Tuesday to showcase college programs.
The state’s 10 community colleges each selected a day to meet with leaders at the Capitol in celebration of community colleges and the impact they have across Arizona. AWC is the first community college in the rotation to make the trip this year.
The group started the day by meeting with Representative Tim Dunn to thank him for his support of the $7.5 million in funding received by Yuma County for the expansion of AWC’s Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA).
As a recent graduate of the AWC LETA program, La Paz County Sheriff's Office Deputy Dillon Brown was more than happy to talk to elected officials about the importance of receiving training for his job without having to relocate to a large city setting. Deputy Brown reflected on how the cost savings for his training means the agencies they serve can invest in supplemental trainings, such as drug trade interdiction, which helps him work to keep his community safe.
LETA trains cadets from 15 regional agencies and saves over $1.3 million to then be used by agencies for increased compensation, equipment, and training resources. Agencies include the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department, Kingman Police Department, Somerton Police Department, Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, Yuma Police Department, San Luis Police Department, Cocopah Tribe Police Department, Quechan Tribe Police Department, Colorado River Indian Tribes Fish and Game, Mohave County Sheriff's Office, Wellton Police Department, Globe Police Department, and Quartzite Police Department.
Senator Lisa Otondo commented that she was excited to hear about the increased funding for LETA and its strong contribution to rural communities.
“I appreciate the opportunity to feature AWC’s response to the Law Enforcement Training Academy with our state elected officials. I am honored by their recognition of the importance of the academy and the success our graduates achieve when graduating to state and local law enforcement agencies,” said Alfonso Zavala, Interim Associate Dean of Reskilling and Technology Center and LETA Director.
The group from the college also met with Representatives Brian Fernandez and Joel John, speaking to the growth of AWC and its impact on the region through its educational partnerships.
Additionally, during a meeting with Senator Sine Kerr, AWC advocated for the continued footprint of state university programming and support for current degree offerings through a joint legislative ask with the Arizona Board of Regents.
Upon hearing the story of a student in the Manufacturing program at the AWC Wellton Learning Center, Otondo noted that his commitment to education and his desire to succeed make him a role model for success.
A first-generation student, Marco Ruiz shared that he decided to enroll in the Manufacturing program after being laid off from a job in the agricultural field. Since that time, he has been on a path to earn his associate degree in Manufacturing Technology. Through the program, he has taken classes that pair his interests with the industry-specific skills needed to return to the workforce.
“Getting to travel to Phoenix to visit our state representatives and senators with AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr was a great opportunity to see our college leaders working on behalf of the students attending our college. I’m proud to be a Matador enrolled in the Manufacturing program at the Wellton campus,” said Ruiz.
Ruiz will be graduating from the Manufacturing program in the Spring of 2022. He plans to continue his education in Engineering at Northern Arizona University.
"Today was a fabulous day to showcase our AWC students with our elected representatives,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr. “Marco and Dillon represent the best of what we do to develop programs leading to fulfilling careers with regional impact. The future is bright for community colleges based on the warm reception with Senators Kerr and Otondo and Representatives Dunn, John, and Fernandez."
Contact:
Mandy Heil
Associate Dean of Communications & Marketing
Arizona Western College
Mandy.Heil@azwestern.edu
(928) 314-9594
Contact:
Ashley Herrington
Chief of Staff
Arizona Western College
Ashley.Herrington@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7501
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Photo caption: AWC leadership and students recently had an opportunity to travel to Phoenix to visit the Arizona Capitol building to showcase college programs. The state’s 10 community colleges each selected a day to meet with leaders at the Capitol in celebration of community colleges and the impact they have across Arizona. Pictured from left to right: AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr; Vice President for Advancement Lori Stofft; Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development Reetika Dhawan; Manufacturing Program Coordinator Samuel Colton; Manufacturing Program student Marco Ruiz; Interim Associate Dean of Reskilling and Technology Center and Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) Director Alfonso Zavala; LETA graduate and La Paz County Sheriff's Office Deputy Dillon Brown; and Chief of Staff Ashley Herrington.