Scottsdale Community College kicks off International Citizen Diplomat Project

Scottsdale, AZ (February 2, 2009) – A world of opportunity is about to unfold for the students of Scottsdale Community College.  The World Affairs Council of Arizona (WACAZ) and Scottsdale Community College are set to kick-off the new International Citizen Diplomat Project on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 2:30pm at the SCC campus. 

The International Citizen Diplomat Project brings together international students, community leaders, and members of the World Affairs Council of Arizona.  The Project is focused on sharing experiences and information about countries and culture through home visits with members of the Council who serve as host families 

Students, host families, WACAZ board members, and dignitaries will attend the kick off event.  Guest speakers include:

Dr. Jan Gehler, President of Scottsdale Community College

Mayor Jim Lane, City of Scottsdale

Ambassador Sharon Wilkinson, President of the World Affairs Council of Arizona

The kick off event will take place from 2:30--4:00pm at Scottsdale Community College, Turquoise Room, 9000 E. Chaparral Rd., Scottsdale, AZ  85256.  For a map to location (SC 164), click here:  http://www.scottsdalecc.edu/maps/scc_campus_map.html

World Affairs Council members who serve as host families are entrepreneurs and professionals with experiences and backgrounds covering all walks of life.  The Project matches international students with host families involved in professions that match, as close as possible, the interests and educational goals of the students.  A student who is a Business major, for example, will be matched with a business owner and his or her host family. 

Some of the students will be meeting their host families for the first time at the kick-off. 

According to John Liffiton, faculty member at SCC and Director of the WACAZ Board of Directors, the convergence of the community college, the international community, the World Affairs Council of Arizona, and the community at large will provide a springboard to greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures and better international relations.

“It’s an opportunity to share ideas, contemporary issues, and perspectives – for the students as well as the professionals,” said Liffiton.  “Everyone stands to learn something from everyone there.”

-----

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