Alumni Success

What made SCC the right fit for you?

Several features made SCC appealing: proximity to home, friends already attending, and the financial assistance available.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

While still a student in the class of '72 at Arcadia High School, I frequented SCC's campus to attend performances in the theater, then housed in temporary buildings, and performances of local musicians in the student union building. I was also on the sidelines at this time of the student activism that was bubbling up and beginning to boil over due to the College's fiscal decisions that favored athletics over academics, hence the students' overwhelming protest, support, and choice by fair student-body election of the Artichoke and the pink & white colors for the school mascot. I first enrolled as a student at SCC in January 1973 and immediately joined the student government as an appointed member of the student senate. In that first semester, I participated in several protests, particularly against the construction of a football stadium when temporary buildings still housed many classrooms, many faculty offices, the entire theater arts department, the only theater on campus, and the entire music department. In the spring of that semester, I was elected student body vice-president to replace Rich Lang, who was elected student body president. Rich and I clashed over the process for achieving our stated goals, but we were aligned with those goals. I resigned from my office for that reason and, subsequently, transferred to Phoenix College, where I attended for two years, returning to SCC in 1977, again becoming embroiled in student government clashes with the administration. I graduated with an AA in Humanities at the end of that calendar year. Throughout my experiences as a student, I worked, first as a student assistant, then as a part-time classified employee in the erstwhile Audio/Visual Center. In 1979, I was hired as the full-time A/V technician, a position I kept until resigning in 1983.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

My favorite memory/memories revolve around working with Julie Wisnosky, who was the A/V technician at SCC from 1970-79. She was a beautiful lady with a great sense of humor, a loyal friend, and a trailblazer, who, in many ways, was at the vanguard of establishing that women could be more than housewives and secretaries.

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

My time at SCC was a mixed bag of personal successes and failures. Still, being a part of the SCC community has given me an appreciation for community, and to this day, I value the friendships I formed, though many have long-since passed.

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

After SCC, I graduated with a B.A. in English from ASU and a Master of Arts in Comparative Literature from UCLA.

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

For a student with goals and objectives, I would advise that community college is an excellent springboard. For a student without goals or objectives, I would suggest that community college can lead to a path for formulating goals and objectives in one's life.

Priscilla Garcia’s path to becoming owner, president, and creative director of Artistry in Motion Designs began with a simple, unexpected moment in 2010. While dropping off her nephew at her aunt’s workplace, she met co-founder Julia Gorchakova, a world-renowned ballroom dancer. When Garcia mentioned she had made her own dress, Gorchakova invited her to try embellishing a ballroom gown with crystals.

“She sat me down, and I tried,” Garcia recalled. “After looking at my work, she said, ‘Can you stay for the rest of the day?’ That was the shortest interview I’ve ever had. I just stayed.”

That one afternoon turned into a career spanning more than 16 years. Garcia started at the very beginning, crystal embellishing, then steadily expanded her skills into sewing, dressmaking, design, and eventually sales, customer service, operations, logistics, and marketing. Along the way, she even took up ballroom dancing herself, captivated by the artistry and energy of the craft.

At the time, Artistry in Motion Designs was a small but highly specialized business founded by Julia Gorchakova and her mother, Natalia. From early on, Gorchakova recognized Garcia’s potential. Each year, the two would sit down to discuss goals and the future.

“Do you still want to stay here?” Natalia Gorchakova would ask. Garcia’s answer was always the same: yes.

What followed was a natural and deeply rooted succession built on trust, mentorship, and years of hands-on experience. Garcia learned sewing from Natalia and design and business strategy from Julia. On June 1, 2025, she officially became the owner of Artistry in Motion Designs.

Today, Garcia leads a team of 15 full-time employees in a newly relocated 6,000-square-foot studio and showroom in Phoenix. The space houses more than 500 types of crystals and serves as both a creative hub and production studio. Each gown – crafted exclusively for amateurs and a few professional ballroom dancers – can take two to three weeks to complete and features between 5,000 and 9,000 hand-placed crystals, along with intricate details like fringe and feathers. Dresses begin at $6,500, reflecting the artistry and labor behind every piece.

“We make every single dress,” Garcia said. “Every single bead is hand-placed. It’s a labor of love. Sometimes you become so enveloped in a dress, you get emotionally tied to it.”

Garcia now carries forward the legacy she helped build, pairing designers with projects that match their talents and encouraging a collaborative, creative environment. While her team travels nationwide for competitions, Garcia limits her own travel to maintain time with her family.

Her passion for creativity began early in life, nurtured by her grandmother, who later witnessed Garcia’s remarkable journey from beginner to business owner.

“This is what I always wanted to do,” Garcia said. “I was just very, very lucky that I fell into an opportunity like this.”

Originally from Nogales, Garcia followed her cousins to Scottsdale Community College, where she studied business. She credits SCC with helping her grow personally and professionally.

“It was a great opportunity to grow into an adult,” she said. “I loved learning, and the campus is beautiful. I still remember looking through the coursebook and planning what felt like my future.”

She fondly recalls her Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in Business course and influential instructors, including English professor Dr. Larry Tualla, whose engaging teaching style left a lasting impression. Though she once doubted her math skills, Garcia now confidently manages the business finances, a testament to her growth.

Balancing school with her growing responsibilities at Artistry in Motion Designs required determination. She shifted to night classes to accommodate her work schedule, but as her career demands increased—with travel, dance, and leadership responsibilities—completing her degree became more challenging. Still, she remains committed to lifelong learning.

Her advice to current students is simple and direct: “Just do it. Work your hardest. Don’t expect anything to be handed to you. Life always pays up.”

Now at the helm of the company she helped shape, Garcia is focused on honoring its legacy while guiding it into the future. “I have poured my heart and soul into this craft,” she said. “I am deeply committed to upholding the unmatched quality established by our founder. I’m excited to build on that legacy as we continue to grow both within the national ballroom industry and locally in Arizona.”

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.

What made SCC the right fit for you?

My first field of interest in healthcare was as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) after working as a volunteer firefighter. After 12 years as a full-time firefighter/paramedic, I became interested in a nursing career and started taking courses at SCC. SCC provided an opportunity to attend a school that was convenient for me and close to home and allowed me to continue working as a Patient Care Tech (PCT) in the Emergency Room using my healthcare skills.

Tell us about your time at SCC.

After completing the prerequisite nursing courses with the numerous academic departments across the SCC campus, I applied to the SCC Nursing Program. At that time, there was a 2-year waitlist, but it was worth the wait. The program came with high regard and outstanding student outcomes that helped me to enhance the skills I already had in healthcare, and took my career to the next step as an RN.

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

SCC is a convenient and cost-effective way to get a jump on your education, regardless of your education and career goals. After obtaining my AAS in Nursing at SCC I went on to complete my Master’s Degree in Nursing at Grand Canyon University. This allowed me to become an adjunct clinical nursing instructor and led to my career as the SCC Nursing Lab Manager.

How did SCC influence your success?

The faculty was always helpful as I was gaining experience with the new nursing skills that enhanced what I already knew from my past healthcare employment. Even though we had some equipment in the laboratory, it was not the high-tech laboratory that we have available for students now. At that time, we only had rubber hands and arms that had embedded tubes as veins to practice intravenous techniques of starting IV catheters and hooking up IV fluids. Now, we have full-body, high-fidelity simulation mannequins that have this same equipment but are much more realistic as students can practice a more holistic approach to patient care along with learning a skill.

Tell us about your favorite memory of SCC.

The best part of nursing school at SCC was the support from classmates and being able to have a shared experience every step of the way. We helped each other during study group sessions, working through personal challenges, and preparing for exams and care plans.

Have you visited SCC since you graduated?

I often came back to campus to visit my wife who taught here in the Interior Design Program. As my nursing career continued, I worked with nursing students in the Emergency Department and eventually started working as an adjunct clinical instructor for SCC. After working with students and gaining skills as an educator in the laboratory and clinical environment, I became the Lab Manager. Many of the faculty who were my instructors in nursing served as great mentors and are still here today, which speaks volumes for our SCC Nursing program.

What are you doing now and for whom?

I am currently the Lab Manager for the SCC Nursing program. It is a pleasure to be able to help the next generation of nurses and to see that the program I attended continues to flourish. Seeing the students working together in the lab and studying together in the hallways takes me back to the reason I returned to SCC.