Alumni Success

Tell us about your involvement at SCC. 

I was a member of the Robotics club. As the club president, it was challenging during Covid to develop a plan for the team to remain engaged. I wanted to nurture the ambition of others and engage the membership in volunteer community service with St. Mary’s Food Bank on Saturday mornings. This was not an easy sell, yet proved to be rewarding for all involved.

Outside of class, I owned a candle business. This proved to be a great hobby during COVID. I see value in the intersection of STEM and the arts, and I am committed to continuing to nurture my artistic side and keep it thriving.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

During my campus visit, I felt the campus community’s passion for making students successful. I noticed the peaceful campus environment and was met with positive energy, kindness, and generosity. This atmosphere carried through my entire time at SCC. I always felt appreciated and valued. At every turn, a faculty member promoted something that could help my life or make me great. The environment felt honest and caring, and I was right. This school brought opportunities for my growth; it gave me a space to work hard and strive to be the best. I could not recommend SCC more, and for this school and its staff, I am forever grateful.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

One of my favorite memories is the virtual meeting with the Math department faculty and staff congratulating me. The acknowledgment and validation of their accolades provided were amazing. My mentors and those who inspired me gave me an extraordinary source of praise. Another highlight I recall is lunch with the scholarship donors. This opportunity to acknowledge my gratitude for their support was very impactful. A highlight of each day on campus was spending time at Two Waters Circle near the Math department. This was an incredibly fulfilling experience and an opportunity for reflection. I measured my degree timeline from those moments spent there.

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

SCC spoiled me. Being in such a professional-strengthening environment, I expected this culture elsewhere. SCC took the strongest parts of what I learned and furthered my overall well-roundedness. I fondly recall the physics classes I took as being the most rewarding and challenging classes I have taken. I still stay in touch with people from that class.

Tell us what degrees or certificates you earned or what types of classes you completed at SCC.

I completed an associate's degree in Applied Science. At SCC, I flourished in the Math department as I strived for excellence. Patricia Dueck told me about the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholarship opportunity. Her course was one of my toughest courses. I plan to continue in the ASU 4+1 Master’s program and am considering focusing on cybersecurity. I am yearning to return to the academic environment as I took a break due to employment.

List any scholarship(s) you received while attending SCC.

Receiving a scholarship meant everything at the time it was received, and I have those same feelings now. This financial support lifted such a weight from my shoulders and enabled me to focus on academics. I felt as though I had a support system. I wanted to embody the values of the scholarship donor in what I did in and out of the classroom. I wanted to make donors proud, and I felt propelled forward by their support in the constant pursuit of success.

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

I am currently a Security Analyst for United Airlines. I am phasing out an old software program used at hubs nationwide and developing a new one. My goal is to be a security architect working with one of the big four technology companies.

What advice would you give others embarking on their college journey? What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

One of the things students struggle with is fear. They are afraid to make the wrong decision. You are never losing anything when improving your education and your sociability. Being around people who want the best for you is an amazing opportunity. People at SCC want you to grow. Try everything. Seek out opportunities.

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

SCC was an important building block for my future. I developed a strong foundation there, both academically and personally.

I appreciated that SCC felt like a private-school environment while still offering a wide variety of classes and opportunities. I enjoyed taking classes in subjects such as Astronomy, Intro to Business, and macroeconomics, and I felt that the community genuinely cared about its students.

Most importantly, I developed meaningful connections with both students and faculty. Those relationships and experiences became part of the foundation I continued to build throughout my education and career.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

I originally planned to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, but after a senior-year trip to visit my brother at Arizona State University, things changed. He wanted to head to the desert. The only problem was my parents were concerned about the cost of out-of-state tuition. So, I started exploring other options. My brother was attending ASU and suggested that I consider Scottsdale Community College.

When I visited Arizona and SCC, it just felt right. I was close to my brother, and the campus had a welcoming atmosphere that made me feel like I belonged. It seemed like a good fit from the start and was still financially feasible

Tell us about your time at SCC.

What stood out most about SCC was the personable environment. The faculty were accessible and readily available when I had questions or wanted to interact with them. Coming from a place where I expected classes with 300 students, SCC felt much more personal.

I made so many friends at SCC. There was a real family atmosphere, and I felt a stronger sense of connection with my fellow students and faculty. I never felt like I was just one of many students in a crowd. I felt like I was part of a community.

And I have to mention one of my favorite memories – long-boarding to class! It was just part of the SCC experience for me.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

One of my favorite memories came from a public speaking class. We were encouraged to work in small groups of five, and my group decided to get together outside of class to work on our assignment.

What started as a group project turned into an overnight hangout. We played pool, worked on the assignment, and had a great time together. I’m still friends with several people from that group today. It was one of those unexpected experiences that created lasting friendships, and I look back on it very fondly.

Tell us about your journey after graduating from SCC.

I’ve always had a passion for food and cocktails, and my career journey has taken a few unexpected turns. After SCC, I interned with an institutional brokerage company, where I was exposed to the passion and drive of people working in the financial industry. At the same time, I worked as a bartender and promoter at some of Scottsdale's top venues.

Those hospitality experiences taught me a tremendous amount about people. I enjoyed interacting with individuals from all walks of life and became fascinated by customer service and the importance of creating meaningful experiences. I began to realize that each experience was another building block in my development.

While attending ASU, I continued working in restaurants and bars. I started by taking out the trash, barbacking, and bartending. I eventually moved into management and became a partner. I also worked in Cancun, Mexico, as a liaison for tour groups, as well as in Las Vegas, Denver, and Los Angeles. In total, I spent 17 years in the hospitality and nightlife industry.

Throughout that time, however, I always envisioned eventually returning to finance. My father had been in the financial services business for more than 50 years, and when he asked me to become his partner, I saw an opportunity to help shape the company’s future.

I wanted to take a more progressive, client-centered approach to financial services – one focused on genuinely caring about people and helping them achieve their goals. This philosophy led to significant production growth, and I’ve partnered with others along the way to keep building the business.

Today, I serve as Director of Business Development at America’s Financial Group and as CEO of The Bearden Group, my own company. My work focuses on areas including retirement planning, indexed universal life insurance (IULs), annuities, life insurance, legacy planning, tax-free retirement strategies, and wealth preservation. I’m particularly passionate about helping young professionals plan for retirement and advising individuals in the entertainment industry. I also focus on high-net-worth individuals near or in retirement to create a tax-advantaged income base.

My years in hospitality taught me the importance of understanding people, listening to them, and building relationships. I’ve carried those lessons into my work in financial services, where my goal is to help people pave the way toward future financial success.

I’m currently scaling a larger company with a business partner, and I plan to offer a full spectrum of financial planning services. We’re also preparing to open an office in Dallas in October. We believe in “Integrity Above All” and have clients and agents across the US.

Throughout my journey, I’ve continued to see my experiences as building blocks. SCC provided the foundation, and each opportunity since then has added another piece. I’m committed to continuing that journey while building a business based on service, relationships, and an ethical approach to doing business.

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

College isn’t for everyone, but for those who choose that path, I think it’s important to keep an open mind. Seek out experiences with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Travel. Volunteer. Do what you love.

You never know where your path will lead you, so don’t have tunnel vision about what your future is supposed to look like. Every experience can become a building block for what comes next.

Most importantly, learn to be kind. Build relationships, stay open to new possibilities, and enjoy the journey. You never know where it might take you.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

Scottsdale Community College felt like the right place for me because it offered a supportive environment where I could really explore my interests. I appreciated that SCC had strong academics but also a creative energy. It was a place where I felt comfortable figuring out who I was and where I wanted to go.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

My experience at SCC helped shape who I am today. The classes challenged me, and the professors cared about helping students succeed. It was a place where I felt encouraged to think creatively and push myself academically. The community atmosphere on campus made it easy to stay motivated and connected.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

One of my favorite memories was attending a class seminar with KJ Sawka, a producer and drummer for Pendulum. Hearing him talk about his career and experiences in music was fascinating. After the seminar, he actually took a small group of students out to dinner, and we got to hear more of his rock-and-roll stories firsthand. It was one of those moments where you realize how inspiring it can be to learn directly from someone who has lived the life you’re curious about.

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

SCC helped me build confidence in myself and my abilities. It taught me how to stay curious, work hard, and keep learning. Those lessons have carried into every part of my life, especially my creative work. The foundation I built at SCC helped me feel prepared to take risks and pursue my passions.

Please describe your involvement at SCC. What role did that involvement play in your overall SCC experience?

While attending SCC, I was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. It reinforced the importance of staying committed to your goals and taking pride in your academic work.

Tell us which degrees or certificates you earned or which types of classes you completed at SCC.

I earned an Associate of Arts degree from Scottsdale Community College in 2018 and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society during my time there.

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

After graduating from SCC, I continued pursuing music and creative production, earning college degrees in audio production technology and the highest Pro Tools certification. That path eventually led to my project, Staytus. Through Staytus, I create industrial and electronic music that explores emotional and cinematic themes through sound and visuals.

One of the most exciting moments along the way has been seeing my music connect with people. The music video for my single “Suburban Gothic,” part of my Twisted Frames series inspired by films featuring actor Matthew Gray Gubler, has now surpassed one million views on YouTube. Watching something that started as a creative idea reach that many people has been incredibly rewarding.

My latest single, “The God, The Artist & The Creator,” was engineered by Grammy Award-winning producer Mikal Blue (OneRepublic, Colbie Caillat, Jason Mraz, Five for Fighting) and features drummer Jeff Friedl (A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, DEVO). The song explores ideas about creativity, faith, and surrender, blending melodic vocals with cinematic production.

Before that, I released songs like “Kiss N Tell,” which dives into themes of obsession and secrecy, as well as “Heart Attack” and “Headache,” produced by Sean Beavan, known for his work with Nine Inch Nails. I also created the Twisted Frames collection—songs inspired by the films 68 Kill, Suburban Gothic, King Knight, and How To Be A Serial Killer— each track captures the emotional tone of a film.

Music has become my way of turning personal experiences into something creative and meaningful, and I continue to build on that vision through new music, videos, and collaborations.

You can learn more about my music here.

What advice would you give others embarking on their college journey? What would you say to convince someone to come to SCC?

Stay curious and take advantage of the opportunities around you. College is a time to explore new ideas, meet interesting people, and figure out what excites you.

SCC is a great place to start that journey. The campus community is welcoming, the professors are supportive, and there are so many opportunities to learn and grow. It’s a place where you can build a strong foundation while discovering what you really want to pursue.

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.

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 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.

What’s your favorite SCC memory?

Hands down, working with wildlife at the Center for Native and Urban Wildlife (CNUW). I also loved the canyoneering classes and participating in pika research. Through Dr. Nagy’s class, I gave my first professional presentation – an experience that led to presenting at symposiums and helped build my confidence as a young scientist.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

Coming out of high school, I thought I had a clear plan: pursue business through Arizona State University. But SCC gave me something even more valuable – the freedom to explore. I took classes in music, humanities, and environmental science while completing my Associate’s degree, which helped me discover where my true interests lay. That flexibility ultimately led me to wildlife studies and set the foundation for my career.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

I started at SCC right after high school, working toward my Associate’s degree while building a pathway to wildlife management. Russ Haughey, Dr. John Nagy, and Dr. John Weser were especially influential. Russ Haughey helped structure my academic plan, and SCC offered courses that aligned seamlessly with ASU’s wildlife management program, making the transfer process smooth and purposeful.

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

Mentorship made all the difference. Having Russ Haughey as a guide helped me understand what to expect in a career in wildlife. SCC also played a key role in landing my first internship with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, where I assisted with projects including snaring mountain lions in the White Tank Mountains. I continued that internship for two years while attending SCC and ASU. Today, I’m proud to serve as a Wildlife Specialist II with Arizona Game & Fish.

How were you involved on campus?

I was active in The Wildlife Society club and spent much of my extra time at CNUW. After transferring to ASU Polytechnic, I continued my involvement through the Wildlife Restoration Student Association, which focused on career development, mock interviews, and expanding job opportunities. These experiences helped me build professional skills and lasting connections.

What did you study at SCC?

I completed my Associate’s degree and followed a transfer track toward my wildlife degree at ASU. I was also part of the MAP program and took SCC courses that directly applied to my university studies.

Tell us about your journey after SCC.

I began as a student exploring courses in the humanities, music, and environmental science. Once I realized wildlife was the right fit, I committed fully and pushed myself in the field – leading to internships, professional presentations, and ultimately my current role.

What advice would you give future students?

Don’t rush into a university path without knowing if it truly fits your career goals. SCC is a great place to explore different subjects, talk with instructors about real-world careers, and find what genuinely excites you. I encourage high school students to test out classes, ask questions, and use SCC as a launchpad to discover their direction.