Alumni Profiles

What made SCC the right fit for you?

Over the years, I have attended a couple different colleges, and the Equine Science Program at SCC was by far the best fit for me! The professors made my experience what it was. At SCC, professors care so much about each individual’s success, learning, and well-being. I loved the small class sizes and the passion each professor shared through their teaching.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

My favorite memory while in the program at SCC is becoming a teaching assistant for the Equine Program. While taking classes and working on my degree I was given the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant alongside Jay Clements. I was so excited and honored to be a part of the program in that way.

What value has SCC brought to your personal life and or career?

The Equine Program at SCC has brought value to both my personal life as well as my career. Attending SCC, working as a teaching assistant, and completing my degree has added value to my personal life by boosting my confidence and self worth. Now having the opportunity to stay connected and make a difference by teaching in the Equine Program at SCC makes me feel humble and proud. I love to teach and my time at SCC highlighted that passion. I have also met many friends, mentors, and acquired connections within Scottsdale Community College that I am thankful for. The Equine Science Program at SCC looks out for one another, we are not just classmates or students. Adding to the value of my personal life is the knowledge I obtained while completing my degree. Through taking the various classes of the program and connecting with the teachers, I have been able to take better care of the horses that I own. Knowledge is power, and this degree and my time at SCC has given me the opportunity to use my knowledge for good and be a better horse person. My career in the equine industry has just begun. By obtaining my degree I am able to build on my knowledge and rise up through the equine industry. The Equine Science Program has given me a great knowledge base to build on as my career progresses. I can see that the opportunities of my career have been expanded exponentially by attending SCC and getting my degree.

What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

Come to SCC! No matter who you are, SCC will help you be successful with your education. The teachers are wonderful, the students are friendly, and the classes are so much fun. I always felt welcome and comfortable in classes and on campus.

What are you doing now and for whom?

My career in the equine industry has just begun. By obtaining my degree, I am able to build on my knowledge and rise up through the equine industry. The Equine Science Program has given me a great knowledge base to build on as my career progresses. I can see that the opportunities of my career have been expanded exponentially by attending SCC and getting my degree.

Tell us about your journey after graduating from SCC. Where did you start and where are you now?

Upon graduating summa cum laude with an Associate of Arts degree from SCC, I moved on to ASU. I graduated summa cum laude again with a degree in Innovation in Society and earned a certificate in Applied Business Data Analytics. The certificate landed me a job in the finance industry. I was a Branch Service Manager at a wealth management company before taking a role geared more toward servicing clients and learning about financial planning. I passed my Series 7 and 66 Exams and became registered, which enables me to place securities trades. I have also recently obtained my Life, Accident, and Health insurance license. This year I plan to participate in a program through my employer that will expose me to the Financial Advisement aspect of the industry.

Tell us the ways that SCC prepared you for additional education and/or your career.

SCC offered excellent resources and diverse programs, but on a smaller scale. I essentially learned to be a student prior to becoming part of the mammoth institution that is ASU. The SCC tutors and instructors were always incredibly helpful. I came to trust that I would do well as long as I put forth the effort and utilized their resources. SCC taught me that I was not going to be shouldering everything on my own as a student because support and encouragement are part of the academic package.

Tell us about your involvement at SCC: list extracurricular and co-curricular affiliations such as clubs, organizations, programs, honors and/or athletic teams?

I didn’t have any time for extracurriculars because I had to work. My only extracurricular activity occurred at the tutoring center when I needed help with math.

What advice would you give others embarking on their college journey?

Make school your priority. Take it seriously. You can still make friends and have fun, but stay focused on your education. Do not give up when it gets hard. It’s ok to change majors, but never quit. And please steer clear of unsafe activities and relationships.

Graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree from the SCC Interior Design program in 2003 and then took advantage of a new program offered on the SCC campus - a 2+2 articulation agreement between SCC and Northern Arizona University. This program allowed her to apply her two-year degree from SCC to a four-year NAU Bachelor’s degree program. Due to Rachel’s deep respect and appreciation for the education she received at Scottsdale Community College, she decided not to end her educational journey there.

After graduating from NAU, she went on to complete her master’s degree in Interior Design at Arizona State University, in the hopes of teaching as an adjunct for SCC’s Interior Design program. Rachel also began working on her own interior design projects. Through her graduate research and professional practice, Rachel specialized in the renovation of mid-century and historical buildings in Arizona; becoming a leading member of the local historic preservation and modern design community.

In 2006, Rachel began teaching building systems and drawing and rendering for SCC. She eventually taught design history and space planning as well. Moving to Europe in 2009, Rachel created the program’s first online class, teaching historical and modern architecture and furniture from Greece, until moving back to the United States in 2011. She continued teaching online for SCC, and also served as adjunct faculty for ASU and the Art Institutes. In 2016, she finally secured the position she believes she was born to fill, residential faculty for the SCC Interior Design program. She teaches alongside some of her own former professors and occasionally practices design professionally with some of her former students. Rachel serves as the faculty advisor for the student American Society of Interior Designers chapter at SCC, and in 2020 became the Program Director for the SCC Interior Design program.

Since Rachel joined the program, she has worked with other full-time faculty members to increase their online offerings. She believes that SCC provides the best interior design education available. She encourages anyone passionate about a career in the industry, no matter the age, to try the online Introduction to Interior Design course and see if they might want to turn their passion into a rewarding career, as she has done herself.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

At SCC, I had a wonderful time. The first time when I met my instructor Carlyn Sikes for advisement, she told me about the entire training plan. This gave me confidence that I was in the right place with an expert Yoga trainer in charge of this department. My other teachers, Marivic Wrobel, Lisa Henrich, Ross Temple, and Jill Ellis, were all very helpful and kind. In all classes, the teachers taught enthusiastically, and filled everyone with positive energy. Even when I felt lazy and tired, the asana classes were a real energy booster. Students are motivated and energized by the end of each session. The teachers were always available to help and guide us. We had a great time together and made study groups. I especially enjoyed the Philosophy class of yoga.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

I moved to the United States from India in September 2013. I did my master’s degree (Post graduation) in Ayurveda, holistic medicines systems. I wanted to pursue my study further here in the USA, specifically in holistic health, yoga or naturopathy. I am a believer of health preservation and find that through yoga, I can help myself and others prevent lifestyle disorders and that yoga can act as a non-invasive therapy in the treatment of some ailments . Yoga and Ayurveda are sister disciplines. At SCC, I got the golden opportunity as Yoga Teacher Training- Certification Course and timing of classes were suitable for me as I am a homemaker and a mother of 2 daughters (9 and 4 years).

What value has SCC brought to your personal life and or career?

In my personal life, SCC made me a better person physically. I had an accident in 2012, which injured my spine. When I took the admission exam at SCC for Yoga Teacher Training, I was afraid of certain exercises. Gradually I was able to do headstands, shoulder stands, backbends, and forward bends. I felt myself getting physically stronger each day. As everyone knows, the mind and body are connected to each other. If a body is not healthy and active, the mind can’t be healthy and active either. So, I find myself physically fit, mentally stronger and calm. I am hopeful that my Yoga Teacher Training certification helps me achieve my financial goals and more importantly, helps me to help others gain their optimal health naturally.

How has SCC helped influence your success?

SCC has had an influence on my own personality. When starting college in a foreign country, one needs to adapt to the new culture, language, rules and regulations. I did not have much experience or knowledge of the college environment, course curriculum, class schedules, etc. in the USA as I did most of my education in India. Starting college in a foreign country, one needs to adapt to the new culture, language, rules and regulations, etc. and I was concerned about whether I would fit in. SCC provided a very friendly environment not only at the fitness center and in classes, but also in the administration block, student center, and library. I felt welcome. The teachers were super awesome; devoted to their teaching and practice of Yoga. Many workshops were conducted/facilitated by the department with senior Iyengar Yoga teachers (Nancy Stechert and Carolyn Belko). These were enriching and valuable learning experiences. As a yoga teacher and as a person, SCC has been a positive influence on my personal and professional life. Wherever life takes me, I will always cherish my time spent at SCC.

What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

I would say SCC is the best place for someone who is looking for a suitable platform to start their college diploma or graduation or profession journey. For me, I found SCC a very unique place which offers a world class Yoga Teaching Training and Yoga Therapy program with an affordable fee structure, flexible class schedules, experienced teaching staff and a lot of learning opportunities. The iInfrastructure at SCC is exceptionally good including classrooms, fitness center, library and other faculty buildings. Most importantly, SCC understands every student's need and even provides basic facilities like food and financial help to their students who require assistance from time to time. SCC promises you success.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

It's difficult to choose a single favorite memory, but if I must single out one, it was the workshop of senior Iyengar yoga teacher Nancy Stechert. This three-day workshop was enjoyed by most of the Yoga teachers of SCC as well as many current and former students. In between classes, we had small breaks and some fun time talking to each other. The experienced Yoga practitioners were interacting with new members and sharing their experiences and success stories. It was an awesome experience to get to know many new faces and fellow students. What are you doing now and for whom? As a talented and dedicated Yoga Instructor with significant training and practice of Iyengar yoga, I am currently employed as a part-time yoga instructor and therapist at LA Fitness in California.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

My favorite memory of attending SCC was the ability to work part-time on campus while attending classes. I got to learn a great deal about the community college environment and the supportive faculty and staff. I made many friends who influenced me along the way.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

I decided to attend SCC after graduating high school because of its proximity, convenience, and the ability to work on campus while attending school.

What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

SCC provides quality education in a personalized setting at a relatively low cost. Additionally, it offers a pathway for students to transfer to universities.

What are you doing now and for whom?

I serve as the chief of police for the city of Chandler. I started my career in policing in 1986 serving with the Scottsdale police department until 2014 when I became police chief in Chandler.

Have you visited SCC since you graduated?

Yes, many times.

Tell us about your journey after graduating from SCC. Where did you start and where are you now?

After SCC, I did the 2+2 program with NAU, earning my Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. Upon graduation, I was recruited to be an Intern at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa. Since then I've held several different roles at this hotel in Front Office, Spa Sales, Reservations Sales, and Event Management, including weddings. In pursuit of my desire to gain more experience to one day run my own hotel, I moved to a Courtyard by Marriott Hotel where I was the Assistant General Manager overseeing not only day-to-day operations but also the hotel finances, which prepared me for my current role as the Business Operations Manager for Marriott Managed Select Brands, where I get to plan and execute regional meetings for on property staff as well as above property leaders.

Tell us the ways that SCC prepared you for additional education and/or your career.

Focusing my studies on hotel management at SCC better prepared me for real life examples of how I could apply what I learned to real business scenarios.

Tell us about your involvement at SCC: list extracurricular and co-curricular affiliations such as clubs, organizations, programs, honors and/or athletic teams?

Working full time, SCC allowed me the flexibility to take night classes. I also joined the Hospitality Club that had several experts in the field come as guest speakers.

What advice would you give others embarking on their college journey?

Get involved. Utilize the flexibility of class schedules. Utilize all of the resources SCC has to offer.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

SCC was the right choice for me because it offers a Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. After taking some time off after high school, SCC allowed for an easier transition back into the world of higher education. Additionally, SCC makes for a seamless transition to a 4-year degree in the same discipline.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

My time at SCC was an incredible educational experience. It encouraged my passion for the hospitality industry and in becoming a discipline expert. I will always remain an advocate for one to pursue education in their life.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

The most memorable thing from my time at SCC is the friends and connections I made. These are friends and connections I still have to this day. There is a large core of SCC alumnus who are currently industry professionals in the Valley and we all stay connected. I have also maintained a close relationship with the faculty and the program itself.

After leaving SCC, did you get a job or did you transfer to a university?

I transferred to NAU to pursue my bachelor’s degree in the same discipline. I was also dual enrolled for a semester. Immediately following my graduation from NAU I obtained my first leadership position in Hospitality.

Have you visited SCC since you graduated?

Yes.

What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

I would encourage anyone curious about pursuing higher education to start at SCC. Specifically, I would encourage anyone in the hospitality field to explore their degree in HRM. The HRM program at SCC is well designed and continues to adapt to today’s climate. It’s led by faculty who are hospitality professionals and have a passion for our industry.

What value has SCC brought to your personal life and or career?

The quality of the HRM program at SCC brought immense value into my career. It allowed for a seamless transition for me to continue my education. There is content I learned and connections I made which I still carry with me to this day.

What are you doing now and for whom?

I am the Assistant General Manager for The Camby Hotel, An Autograph Collection Hotel in Central Phoenix. The Management company I work for is Davidson Hotels and Resorts. This is my second stint with The Camby and Davidson, as I was previously the Director of Rooms from 2018-2020. In between my time at The Camby, I worked for Marriott at the St Regis Deer Valley in Park City Uah. During my 20 year career I have worked for Fairmont, Starwood, Marriott, and Davidson.