Alumni Success

What made SCC the right fit for you?

The teachers cared about giving the best education and wanted to watch you grow. No matter who you are, you were welcomed with open arms and taught how to be the best version of yourself.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

It was amazing! I loved every part of it. My teachers set me up for success and did everything they could to teach me how to be the best designer.

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

It has brought me a lot of value. It taught me to think professionally before being out in the field and how to be professional when the time came.

How has SCC helped influence your success?

It has helped tremendously! Having teachers that are so supportive and encouraging changes everything! My experience at ASU was not the same, I enjoyed my time at SCC more.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

Meeting Peggy Deal. She absolutely changed my life and will always be one of the most important moments in my life. She is so caring and dedicated to her students, I cannot stress enough how important it is to have the support and care she provided. Appreciate everything you have while you're at SCC, you will miss it beyond belief!

Have you visited SCC since you graduated?

I came back to visit maybe 1.5-2 years ago! I got to see Bernie and the new classroom too. I was welcomed with hugs and it felt amazing to be back.

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

You will not get an education as great as this anywhere else. I went to ASU too, and my time there doesn't even come close to this. The friends I made, projects created, connections achieved, are completely unmatched. I would come back in a heartbeat! SCC made me who I am today, and seriously changed my life for the best. Some people frown upon going to a Community College, but it was the best experience I ever had in my life!

What are you doing now and for whom?

Always an enthusiastic professional, I recently established my own freelance graphic design business, Jules Design Studio, LLC. Working steadily with small business clients with branding and marketing collateral, I recently signed on to be a corporate freelance for bigger companies like Fox Restaurant Concepts and True Food Kitchen. Projects range from designing animated social media graphics, everyday print ads, promotional items, web and digital ads and even some typographical murals that go inside the restaurants. This contractual work gives me the benefit and security of working for big companies, but still be my own boss.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

By completing my AA in Film Production and expanding my portfolio, I got accepted into the prestigious USC (University of Southern California) School of Cinematic Arts.

Please tell us about your experience at SCC.

I really enjoyed my time at SCC. The opportunity to work on many classmates' student films, as well as making my own, provided me with a strong foundation for starting my professional career in entertainment.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

I won Best Short Drama at the SCC MPTV (Motion Picture Television) Film Festival in my senior year. I still have the award in my office!

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

My time at SCC provided me with my first experiences running film sets, which I’ll never forget. From directing to boom operating, I got to try everything. Building a portfolio of films and scripts was invaluable and helped me transition into the competitive film industry in Hollywood.

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

AA Film Production

Tell us about your journey after graduating from SCC.

I recently launched a virtual reality game called The Phoenix Gene on Meta Quest and SteamVR. In 2026, I will begin launching a six-book series from the same franchise. I've already published six books, created and executive-produced TLC's hit show, My Giant Life, which aired for 3 seasons, as well as A&E's Born Behind Bars. As Vice President of Film & TV for AfterShock Comics, I adapted comic books optioned by Hulu, Legendary, and Universal. I produced the Oscar-qualified animated film, The Wrong Rock, and have been involved in numerous international co-productions. And it all started at SCC!

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

Attending a community college was the best decision because it was an affordable option and provided the opportunity to build a strong base. I saved a fortune by going to the University of Southern California (USC) for two years instead of four, and I was able to experiment and find my voice while learning the basics of film production in a safe and inclusive environment before moving to Hollywood. Without the confidence I learned at SCC and the opportunity to expand my portfolio, I would have struggled to find my place as quickly.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

I took various classes from DJing to biology to nutrition. SCC offered a wide variety of programs to help me find my passion. I enjoyed the campus, staff, and my classmates.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

Location and affordability.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

Discovering my passion for nutrition. Props to Robert Martin for being an awesome nutrition professor! I really enjoyed all of his classes.

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

I Transferred to ASU

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

SCC offered an affordable path to go to school. The ASU transfer pathway was very straightforward; I was able to start my education in community college and finish at ASU. If it were not for SCC, I would not be where I am today.

What are you doing now and for whom?

With a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Arizona State University, I’ve been a registered dietitian for over six years, offering evidence-based counseling that’s approachable and effective. I specialize in working with busy professionals ready to prioritize their health. My focus areas include improving energy levels, creating balanced eating habits, managing stress, and building a healthier relationship with food. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Nutrition Coach, I've guided countless clients towards healthy and sustainable lifestyles through personalized nutrition plans and motivational coaching.

I’m also proud to bring a creative edge to my coaching thanks to my 17-year career as a DJ aka DJ Hemmesphere—an experience that helps me connect with clients juggling irregular hours and high-pressure lives. Outside of work, I’m still spinning records and chasing adventures. Whether I’m DJing a set, traveling, or enjoying a Sunday brunch with friends, I’m always looking for ways to embrace balance.

I became a dietitian because I believe health should never feel out of reach, no matter how fast-paced or unconventional your lifestyle. Whether I'm behind the turntables or supporting clients in their health journeys, my mission remains the same: to inspire, uplift, and bring joy to those I serve.

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

There are many different classes and options at SCC. The campus is well-kept and conveniently located off the freeway. The faculty is helpful and supportive. I enjoyed my time at SCC.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

SCC was the right fit for me because I knew the reputation of the culinary program, and that I would receive a quality culinary education at a much lower cost than going through a traditional culinary program. Additionally, I could see that I would be qualified to start working as soon as I graduated and have the basic skills employers were looking for because of the comprehensive training received at SCC. Lastly, being an accredited program, I was able to gain my professional certification through the American Culinary Federation. This was an important step for me.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

Being a non-traditional student, it had been many years since I’d been in an educational environment. I was a little worried that I might struggle with going back to a math class, for instance, or that I wouldn’t fit in with the younger students. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that many people in my demographic were returning to school, either for re-careering like myself, or just to finish a degree that might have been started some years ago. All of my professors were incredibly willing to meet with me or otherwise engage in discussion to help me through difficult spots in my coursework, and the online systems were fairly easy to navigate and I was able to submit assignments without any issues. I enjoyed my time on campus.

How has SCC helped influence your success?

I’m proud to have graduated from SCC’s Culinary program. It has a great reputation and every time I’ve mentioned where I attended, it is met with nods of recognition and approval. I’m certain that my success in the program at SCC has enabled me to get my foot in the door at more than one employer.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

My favorite memory of SCC is the day we finished the culinary program. We all received our “tall hats” and proudly posed for pictures in our chef’s coats. I still remain in contact with several of the students and we share in each other’s successes.

Have you visited SCC since you graduated?

Because of the pandemic, I haven’t been able to return to campus. But I have been in contact with my program director and several others with whom I worked in the program. Even now they are supportive of my endeavors and I feel a part of that community.

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

Especially for the Culinary Arts program, there is no better value in the state than to attend SCC. I’ve worked with several people who attended “big” culinary programs - and paid big dollars to go with it - and I can truly say that my education equaled theirs. The quality of the instructors and the support received, including job fairs and contacts, were invaluable to me. The support staff, especially in Advising, also worked hard to ensure that I was on track and had the credits and classes I needed to graduate on time, and because I was an older student that was especially important to me.

What made SCC the right choice for you?

Proximity – SCC was close to home. I attended Coronado High School, and they even bused the students to SCC so they could register. This made it very easy to choose SCC. I was not a strong academic student in high school, so I had not given much thought to college.

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

I was very fortunate that I was willing and able to take advantage of a variety of opportunities during my time as a student here. I started at SCC on a political science track. I enjoy working with kids and education, and so I was able to serve as a student employee with the Center for Native and Urban Wildlife (CNUW). As an Outreach Specialist, I had the opportunity to care for the animals and lead educational tours. Roy Barnes and Jean Rigdin were instrumental in securing the job at CNUW, and this opportunity was a catalyst for my future professional aspirations.

Additionally, Albert Shank, my Spanish professor, offered a summer abroad program to Costa Rica. This one-month program was very affordable and enabled me to stay with a Costa Rican family for a month. I received a $500 grant to cover the cost of this cross-cultural experience. I have several fond memories of my time there. I also participated in the Model United Nations program offered at SCC. This four-day program combined education with realistic simulations of the United Nations, allowing me to travel to New York City. I was able to complete all the math classes from Math 090 through calculus. Thanks to all of the resources provided at SCC.

I was also a Mammal Research Assistant for the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy for nearly three years. This internship involved conducting a baseline survey of mammals. I met my husband at SCC through participating in a pika survey with SCC faculty, Dr. John Nagy. This camping trip to Northern California was a lot of fun. I participated in the SCC Christmas Bird Count led by Dr. John Weser, SCC faculty and CNUW executive director, which introduced me to bird-watching, which is very useful in my current job as well. In fact, I utilized the Gilbert Riparian Preserve to test my knowledge of birds.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

Before Two Waters Circle existed, there was a small pond, and I have especially fond memories of helping clean it out and dig up the plant life. I even brought one of those plants home—it’s still thriving today in my mom’s house. I also loved walking across campus, gathering flowers, and stopping by to visit the tortoises, moments that made SCC feel both peaceful and personal.

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

I met my husband at SCC. Although we had seen each other around campus before, it was a shared field trip that sparked our relationship. Beyond that, the academic and extracurricular opportunities SCC offered helped shape my direction and laid a strong foundation for my career path.

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

I completed an Associate of Science at SCC and then went on to ASU.

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

Before graduating from SCC, I was a Program Specialist at the Arizona Science Center. I was responsible for designing and delivering educational programs and outreach initiatives. The position involved creating hands-on, immersive experiences in various scientific fields to engage visitors of all ages, particularly schoolchildren. I did summer camps and after-school programs. I continued to work there after graduating from SCC.

I went on to ASU to complete a degree in biology with a focus on conservation and ecology. While at ASU, my Limnology class (the study of the biological, chemical, and physical features of lakes and other bodies of fresh water) visited the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. The Naturalist and Wastewater Manager spoke to our class. During this visit, I thought that this would be an interesting place to work. Little did I know at the time that I would indeed end up working here.

My first role at the City of Gilbert was as an Environmental Compliance Inspector. After more than five years at that position, I moved into the Naturalist position at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve.

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

Seize the opportunities available to you. Work your way through college. Seek out opportunities, volunteer if possible. Gaining work experience while a student enables you to obtain valuable skills and knowledge to offer prospective employers, as well as providing you with a better understanding of what you like to do.