US Ambassador of Chile Visits Scottsdale Community College

~Honorable Mariano Fernandez, Ambassador of Chile, Honored by SCC, learns about Maricopa Community Colleges, SCC’s ESL and Occupational Programs ~ 

Scottsdale, AZ (April 29, 2007) – The US Ambassador of Chile, Mariano Fernandez, visited Scottsdale Community College last week for a special luncheon in the Artichoke Grille in his honor.  He was invited to SCC by Jose Velasco, Maricopa Community College District Director of International & Intercultural Education, to explore partnerships and learn about the Maricopa Community College system. 

Ambassador Fernandez (shown second from right) was welcomed by SCC president, Dr. Art DeCabooter (far right), followed by greetings from Therese Tendick, Director of International Education (second from left), Dr. Virginia Stahl, Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Daniel Corr, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Patricia Lokey, Library Division Chair.  Jose Velasco from the District office is pictured far left in the photo.

John Liffiton, coordinator of SCC’s ESL program, gave a presentation about the ESL for Hospitality program, a specific interest of the ambassador’s.  Liffiton’s presentation outlined the “block” system used in this program, which is comprised of classes in listening and speaking, writing and oral practice, reading, accent reduction, American culture, and business English.

Ambassador Fernandez talked to the group about Chile’s optimistic yet realistic vision for the future, its great political and social development, how Chile must change its development style to ensure a successful future, and its commitment to improving education for the children--including English speaking skills.  The ambassador touched on Chile’s good relations with the US, including dealings in investment and labor, and how he supports bringing Americans to Chile to encourage intercultural learning and to break stereotypes that people may hold of Chileans and Americans.

After the luncheon, Ambassador Fernandez was given a tour of SCC’s Culinary Arts kitchen and the Film School.

The International Education program at Scottsdale Community College makes these visits possible to help increase the internationalization of the academic programs.  The programs ensure that students are prepared for a multicultural, rapidly-changing world where more and more jobs, even in Maricopa County, are becoming more dependent on world trade.

“An understanding of world trade, economics, and cultures is critical,” said Therese Tendick, Director of International Education at SCC.  “Students who normally cannot travel can vicariously travel to other countries through the international student sitting next to them in the classroom or through the visitors who come to the campus.” 

Last Spring, SCC hosted two Chilean English faculty who gave presentations on Chile, taught students in Spanish classes, and learned new instructional technology.  SCC faculty members who travel to other countries often bring back important learning resources, including books that become part of the library’s collection.  The benefits to the students are endless.

Over 1,000 international students from over 100 countries are enrolled annually at SCC, with the highest enrollment from South Korea, Mexico, Canada, Japan and Brazil.  Academic programs that are most popular with international students include SCC’s Culinary Arts, Hospitality & Tourism, Motion Picture/Television, Nursing, Business, and Interior Design programs.   

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About Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College offers over 1,500 academic and non-credit classes each semester. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the campus is known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful plant and wildlife. With nearly 12,000 students, Scottsdale Community College is proud to offer high-quality, affordable programs in small class settings. From Motion Picture/Television Production and Culinary Arts to Nursing and American Indian Studies, students have a wide variety of programs from which to earn credits for university transfer, launch their careers, train for new ones, or pursue a special interest. The SCC Business Institute offers customized programs to meet the needs of local business. Scottsdale Community College is one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges.

To learn about the many academic programs at Scottsdale Community College, call us at (480) 423-6000 or visit our website at www.scottsdalecc.edu.

Media contact:
Denise Kronsteiner
(480) 423-6567
denise.kronsteiner@sccmail.maricopa.edu