When Joy Solomon first heard that Scottsdale Community College would be offering a bachelor’s degree in business, she was already in motion. She had earned her associate’s degree at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She was running a salon and working as a notary signing agent. She was raising a son. She had not been a full-time university student since the early 2000s.
And she did not hesitate.
“I was so excited about the opportunity to continue my education without starting over somewhere new,” Joy says.
On May 14, alongside 48 of her classmates, Joy walked across the commencement stage and became part of the largest first-year graduating class of any bachelor’s program in the Maricopa County Community College District.
SCC launched the Bachelor of Business Administration in Management (BBA) in fall 2025, and from the start, it was designed for students whose lives did not pause for school. The program offered small class sizes, faculty support shaped by real-world experience, and tuition that costs roughly one-third of a traditional four-year university.
The inaugural class enrolled 531 students, the largest debut of any bachelor’s program in the Maricopa County Community College District. Many of those students arrived with transfer credits that put a bachelor’s degree within two years of reach.
“I could not be more proud of this graduating class,” says SCC President Dr. Eric Leshinskie. “They earned this degree on top of full lives, balancing jobs, families, military service, and businesses of their own, and they showed up for it every single day. SCC is honored to be part of their journey, and watching them cross this stage is one of the proudest moments of my time as president.”
Joy returned to school after more than two decades of self-employment, juggling business ownership, family life, and a course load that, by her own admission, was not always easy.
“As a mother, partner, and business owner, I made many sacrifices to accomplish this goal,” she says. “But every step has been worth it.”
The SCC Business department helped carry her through. “Returning to school later in life can feel intimidating, but the faculty and staff made me feel welcomed and capable from the very beginning,” Joy says. “Their communication, availability, encouragement, and guidance made such a difference in my journey. They helped build my confidence and reminded me that the work I was doing was something to be proud of.”
She graduated with honors. As a first-generation college graduate, she did it for more than herself.
“My parents, who have both passed away, would be incredibly proud to see this moment,” she says. “I also hope this accomplishment inspires my son and others who may think it is ‘too late’ to return to school or pursue something bigger for themselves.”
Joy’s experiences as a business owner had already taught her much, but the BBA gave something different: an educational foundation that opened doors her experience alone could not.
“This program enhanced my leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills and gave me the confidence to pivot from small business ownership into the corporate world,” she says. “Earning this degree has helped validate the years of experience I already had while giving me the educational background needed to pursue new opportunities.”
She is now considering additional certifications, with a master’s degree eventually in mind.
The 49 graduates who walked the stage on May 14 are the first chapter of what SCC sees as a long story. Their backgrounds reflect exactly the audience the program was built for: working professionals, veterans, parents, business owners, and first-generation college students.
“This class set the tone for everyone who follows them,” Dr. Leshinskie says. “They proved that a rigorous, affordable bachelor’s degree belongs at a community college, and they did it while leading the rest of their lives. We will keep building programs worthy of students like them.”
For Joy, the achievement comes back to a simple message.
“I hope my story inspires at least one person to not give up, to step out on faith, and to pursue their goals no matter how long it takes.”
Visit SCC’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Management program for more information.