Alumni Success

What made SCC the right fit for you?

I was so excited to be part of the Equine Science program at SCC. I wasn’t sure what my career would look like, but I knew I wanted to help people and somehow involve horses. SCC also appealed to me because my godmother Marianne Roccaforte-Gardner and my grandma Lois Roma-Deeley worked for SCC and sang its praises.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

Of all my college experiences, the Equine Program at SCC was the most memorable and impactful. I made such wonderful connections while there and have fond memories of the hands-on classes where we got to handle horses directly. I’ll never forget my time in the Equine Anatomy class where I got to do a full-body necropsy with the late Dr. Elaine Carpenter. Truly, it was the best college experience I could’ve asked for.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

My favorite memory of SCC occurred in the parking lot when I received a phone call offering my dream internship at a Young Life camp where I would be in charge of 52 equines, running trail rides daily and managing volunteers/staff. This is my favorite memory of SCC because being offered this internship and being able to confidently run that summer program would not have been possible without my Equine Science degree.

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

SCC has brought endless value to my life and career. The Equine Science program changed the trajectory of my career and life goals for which I am forever grateful.

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

I attended SCC from 2016-2018. I earned my Associate of Arts and Associate of Equine Science.

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

When I left SCC, I went to ASU to finish my Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. During that time I ran a trail riding program at a Young Life camp for the summer of 2018, worked for horse trainers, taught lessons and provided horse care at a therapeutic riding program, and drove carriages for Scottsdale Horse and Carriage. Once I graduated from ASU, I started a horseback riding lesson program where I taught lessons from August 2019 to December 2020. I then started my Master's in Counseling with an emphasis on Somatic Experiencing in August of 2021 at Prescott College. This pursuit combined my love for people and the power of healing with horses to become an Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. I am now a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) working under Skye Therapy Solutions where we offer Equine Assisted Therapy. We work with people ages 6+ with ADHD, ASD, and anxiety. I am extremely passionate about grief and loss and plan to specialize in this area when I one day own my private practice. It’s been quite the journey to get to where I am today but I am so grateful for every experience.

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

I loved my time at the Maricopa Community Colleges. I hopped around to a few of them before landing at SCC. I consider SCC my home base because of how wonderful my experience was there. I recommend SCC to anyone who wishes to have a rewarding and special college experience.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

I initially attended ASU’s dance program but ultimately couldn’t afford the tuition and had to leave. After a year without dancing, I decided to try a dance class at SCC. After that one class, I knew I was fully committed to completing my dance education with SCC. It was an affordable education that was unparalleled by any other I had experienced in the past. They saw me as more than a student; they saw me as a human with multiple full-time jobs. However, they still held me to high standards and pushed me to reach for greatness.

What are you doing now and for whom?

I am currently a faculty member of the dance department at Rio Hondo College in Whittier, CA. I teach two fitness classes, Modern I and II, and Dance Production, and choreograph each semester for their shows.

How did SCC influence your success?

The faculty of SCC are true rock stars and have influenced who I am as an artist and a person! I am pursuing a career in teaching dance in higher education because of the faculty.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

One of my favorite memories from SCC was being awarded “most improved” in Modern II during the Artie Awards! I remember feeling like I was finally making real progress in my dance journey after a long time of feeling like I wasn’t getting anywhere. This honor lifted my spirits and reminded me I was on the right path! Have you visited SCC since you graduated? If so, tell us about your visit. Yes! I came to the 2020 ACDA hosted by SCC where my choreography was selected for the Gala and to compete at Nationals. I also recently visited SCC as a guest artist and took over teaching the Modern III class for a week. I look forward to continuing my relationship with SCC Dance and everyone in the department.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

The faculty and community were committed to excellence and guided by love!

What made SCC the right fit for you?

SCC provided the flexibility I needed, with great professors and lecturers who helped me prepare for the transition to my bachelor's degree program at the university.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

I attended SCC part-time to obtain my Associate of Science degree before transferring to Arizona State University. As a working professional during my tenure, I found the course offerings and student resources to offer the right flexibility and value to help me succeed.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

I took a lot of evening/night classes and fondly recall the memories of my classmates and professors spending lots of time learning new things and leaving in the evenings with a sense of accomplishment. Most of all, I loved getting to know and study with other students in the library on weekends and grabbing a snack at the Artichoke Grill.

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

What I learned and achieved during my time at SCC helped prepare and propel me for taking progressive steps in my professional career. This directly translated to a better outcome for my family and me.

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

After graduating from Scottsdale Community College, I completed additional undergraduate coursework at Phoenix College before transferring to Arizona State University, where I earned my degree in civil engineering. I began my professional career as a project engineer with GHD, contributing to the planning and design of water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the United States and internationally. Following licensure, I progressively assumed greater responsibility, managing increasingly complex design and construction efforts. Over time, I advanced to serve as a technical director and team leader, supporting multidisciplinary teams delivering advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions throughout the western United States. During nearly 13 years with GHD, I became an associate and shareholder and had the privilege of helping municipalities implement award-winning infrastructure.

I currently serve as the National Technical Practice Leader for Water and Wastewater Treatment at Consor, where I focus on technical excellence, quality, and consistent delivery across our North American practice, while supporting the professional development of our teams.

In parallel with my professional work, I have remained actively involved in the engineering community through leadership and service with organizations including American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Water Works Association (AWWA), WEF, AZ Water, AMTA, IWA, and others. I have previously served as President of the Phoenix Branch of ASCE and Chair of the AZ Water Association Water Treatment Committee. In 2026, I am honored to serve as the 101st President of the Arizona Section of ASCE.

My time at Scottsdale Community College provided a strong foundation and lasting momentum for what followed, for which I remain deeply grateful.

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

As an alumnus of SCC, my advice to anyone embarking on their college journey is to fully embrace the opportunity SCC offers, not just as a place to earn credits, but as a place to discover direction, confidence, and community.

SCC provided me with a supportive academic environment, accessible and dedicated faculty, and the flexibility to explore interests while building a strong foundation for future goals.

Take advantage of the resources available, engage with your instructors, and don’t underestimate the value of starting your journey in a setting that prioritizes student success and growth. For me, SCC was not a steppingstone I rushed through, but a formative experience that helped shape both my academic path and my sense of purpose.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

My favorite memories are the friends I made at school during my journey towards graduation. At Graduation, I reconnected with an old flame, whom I had not seen in years, and it was a wonderful feeling to see someone I loved at a high point in their life, getting their degree.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

The affordability, combined with the convenience of location, was perfect for a student striving to get a solid educational foundation before moving on to a university.

Please tell us about your experience at SCC.

I began my higher education journey at Scottsdale Community College, where I earned two associate degrees—an AA in Arts and an AA in General Studies. SCC provided the foundation I needed to pursue my academic goals while staying connected to my community. The affordability and supportive environment made it the right fit, allowing me to grow both personally and academically.

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

SCC gave me the foundation to grow both personally and academically. Beyond academics, SCC taught me resilience, authentic communication, and the confidence to take on bigger challenges—values that continue to shape my career path today.

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

During my time at SCC, I was actively involved in the Honors Program, which challenged me to think critically and pursue academic excellence. I was also accepted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honors society, where I connected with peers who shared a commitment to scholarship and service. In recognition of my efforts, I was awarded several scholarships that supported my educational journey. These experiences not only strengthened my academic foundation but also gave me confidence, a sense of community, and motivation to continue advancing toward my goals.

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

At Scottsdale Community College, I earned two associate degrees—an AA in Arts and an AA in General Studies. In addition to my academic coursework, I pursued firefighter-related training through the Maricopa County Community College program, earning certifications as both a firefighter and an EMT-B. These experiences gave me a strong educational foundation while also equipping me with practical skills to serve my community.

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

I received several scholarships, including one as an honor student, and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. I wish I had applied for more scholarships, but I didn’t realize that they were available until I transferred to a state university.

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

SCC gave me the confidence and preparation to take that next step, and I quickly found myself immersed in a path that aligned with both my academic interests and my commitment to public service.

Earning two associate degrees at SCC prepared me to transfer through the 90/30 program to Northern Arizona University (NAU), where I’m currently pursuing dual bachelor’s degrees in Public Administration and Emergency Management. This program has allowed me to integrate my passion for leadership, crisis communication, and community resilience into a rigorous academic path. This combination enables me to incorporate leadership theory with practical crisis management skills, preparing me to serve communities with resilience and clarity.

In addition to my dual bachelor’s program, I am enrolled in NAU’s accelerated master’s degree track, positioning me to graduate with advanced credentials that will prepare me for a career in public administration. My journey reflects the values I first cultivated at SCC—resilience, authentic communication, and a commitment to serving others. SCC was not just a stepping stone; it was the launchpad that continues to shape my vision of building stronger, more responsive organizations and communities.

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

My advice to anyone starting college is to embrace every opportunity and not be afraid of challenges. Those moments are where the most growth happens, and I encourage future students to choose SCC because it offers an affordable, supportive environment with professors and programs that truly prepare you for the next step. SCC was the launchpad for my academic and professional journey, giving me both confidence and community, and it can do the same for others.

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

I transferred to ASU and graduated from the College of Interdisciplinary Studies with a BA in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

I originally picked SCC in part because it was the closest school to me, but also because I had heard the CIS department was one of the best within the Maricopa Community Colleges. Having now attended 4 different colleges and universities, I can say with 100% certainty, SCC was where I grew my skillset the most.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

I came to SCC after previously failing out of another school, I was lost and very unconfident when I enrolled here. The first class I took was worth every penny and set me down my current path and I recommend it for every new student: CPD 150 Strategies for College Success. The course covered strategies for getting good grades, but most importantly, it was an exploratory class that helped me finally settle on a direction, CIS. While in the CIS program I dabbled in every aspect - IT, design, programming and databases before finally settling on Database Development. I also credit the CIS faculty immensely for being so supportive. Under their guidance, I completed honors projects, received scholarships, and won competitions. It really was a growing experience that I did not receive at any other institution and for that reason I consider myself an Artichoke for life.

What do you do now?

I am a Business Intelligence Analyst at Offerpad.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

I look back most fondly at my Photoshop class. It was excellent not only because I clicked with the professor immediately, but also because Photoshop is simply an amazing tool. I finally found a way to express the art I had always struggled to create with other mediums. I am most proud of my project for the World Hunger Fair was selected as the winning design for the flyers. Have you visited SCC since you graduated? Yes. I am incredibly grateful to have been invited back as a guest alumni by my previous professors.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

I originally picked SCC in part because it was the closest school to me, but also because I had heard the CIS department was one of the best within the Maricopa Community Colleges. Having now attended 4 different colleges and universities, I can say with 100% certainty, SCC was where I grew my skillset the most.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

I came to SCC after previously failing out of another school, I was lost and very unconfident when I enrolled here. The first class I took was worth every penny and set me down my current path and I recommend it for every new student: CPD 150 Strategies for College Success. The course covered strategies for getting good grades, but most importantly, it was an exploratory class that helped me finally settle on a direction, CIS. While in the CIS program I dabbled in every aspect - IT, design, programming and databases before finally settling on Database Development. I also credit the CIS faculty immensely for being so supportive. Under their guidance, I completed honors projects, received scholarships, and won competitions. It really was a growing experience that I did not receive at any other institution and for that reason I consider myself an Artichoke for life. What do you do now? I am a Business Intelligence Analyst at Offerpad. After leaving SCC, did you get a job or did you transfer to a university? I transferred to ASU and graduated from the College of Interdisciplinary Studies with a BA in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics. Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC. I look back most fondly at my Photoshop class. It was excellent not only because I clicked with the professor immediately, but also because Photoshop is simply an amazing tool. I finally found a way to express the art I had always struggled to create with other mediums. I am most proud of my project for the World Hunger Fair was selected as the winning design for the flyers. Have you visited SCC since you graduated? Yes. I am incredibly grateful to have been invited back as a guest alumni by my previous professors.