AWC Staff collaborate and share during the 2017 Horizon Symposium Strategic Planning event.

Arizona Western College seeks community input at the Strategic Planning Horizon Symposium 2025

November 5, 2024

Yuma, AZ (November 5, 2024) – The community is invited to join Arizona Western College (AWC) at the AWC Strategic Planning Horizon Symposium 2025 on November 15th to discuss future goals and visions for the organization.

The Horizon Symposium is a half-day, TED Talk-style interactive event where college staff work with community members to imagine a thriving, sustainable future for higher education in the region through brief, engaging presentations before sharing ideas and brainstorming in focus groups. 

"The Horizon Symposium is a college + community event, and the chance to engage in conversations from multiple perspectives to inform the future of our college makes it a really rich opportunity,” Lori Stofft, Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the AWC Foundation, said.

The strategic planning event provides the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, participate in thought-provoking discussions, and gain valuable insights to drive success in the coming years. All areas of the community are invited to share their input, including parents, educators, hiring managers, businesspeople, elected officials, and nonprofits.

“Warren Bennis (1925-2014), one of the most revered scholars in leadership studies, once said, ‘Leaders keep their eyes on the horizon,’” commented AWC Professor Sarah Snyder, PhD. “The AWC Horizon event is depending on our community members to help us lead the state and the nation in higher education.  Our Strategic Planning is a response to the needs of our community, and we value your voices from Yuma and La Paz counties.  You are the future of AWC!”

In addition, Silvia Kempton, AWC Testing Services Technician II, shared: “We couldn’t do what we do without our community partners, our faculty, our staff, and our fabulous students. We continue to strive through education and partnerships to transform lives and create thriving communities.”

The Horizon Symposium will be held on Friday, November 15 from 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the 3C Schoening Conference Center of the AWC Yuma Campus, 2020 S. Ave. 8E. A campus map can be found here

Guest speakers and topics for the event include: 

  • Thinking Strategically for Regional Priorities - Liz Murphy, CEO, CampusWorks
  • Living Up to the Promise of Access: How Practicing Excelencia Advances Student Success - Dr. Marla Franco, University of Arizona Vice President of HSI Initiatives
  • Next World, New Workforce: AI in 2025 and Beyond with the University of Arizona's AI Core - Ash Black, Eller College Adjunct Lecturer & Creative Technologist

While the Symposium is free and open to the public, space is limited. Individuals interested in attending can reserve their seat at this link.

For more information about the event, contact Lori Stofft at lori.stofft@azwestern.edu or Michelle Struck at michelle.struck@azwestern.edu

Learn more about Strategic Planning at AWC here. Comments about the strategic plan can also be made to strategic.planning@azwestern.edu.

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Contact: 
Lorraine Stofft
Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the AWC Foundation
Arizona Western College
lori.stofft@azwestern.edu
(928) 314-9595