SCC student Jasmine Jackson volunteers at an on-campus event. She graduates May 2026 with her Bachelor of Business Administration – Management.
“This program gave me the flexibility to pursue my degree while continuing to work in a career I’m passionate about. The professors truly invested in me, both academically and personally, and created an environment where I felt supported and encouraged. I’m so grateful for the strong sense of community and growth I found here.”
— Jasmine Jackson
Scottsdale Community College (SCC) marked another historic milestone today, celebrating the first graduating class of its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Management program. Forty-nine students earned their bachelor’s degrees, the largest first-year graduating class of any bachelor’s program in the Maricopa County Community College District.
“I could not be more proud of this graduating class,” said 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.”
The BBA in Management launched in fall 2025 with a record-setting 531 students enrolled, the largest debut enrollment of any bachelor’s program in the District. Designed in collaboration with local business leaders, the program offers career-ready skills in leadership, operations, and organizational strategy, with small class sizes and tuition at approximately one-third the cost of a traditional four-year state university.
Many in the inaugural class came to the program as working professionals, returning adult learners, veterans, parents, and first-generation college students.
Among them is Joy Solomon, who returned to school after more than two decades of self-employment as a hairstylist, salon owner, and notary signing agent. After earning her associate’s degree at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Solomon enrolled in SCC’s BBA program shortly after it was announced, graduating with honors and becoming a first-generation college graduate in her family.
“Walking across the stage at commencement means everything to me,” Solomon said. “As a first-generation graduate, it represents resilience, perseverance, growth, and faith. It is proof that no matter where you are in life, you can always come back and accomplish your goals.”
Solomon credits the SCC Business department with helping her stay the course. “Returning to school later in life can feel intimidating, but the faculty and staff made me feel welcomed and capable from the very beginning,” she said. “Their communication, availability, encouragement, and guidance made such a difference in my journey.”
She is now considering additional certifications and a master’s degree, with plans to apply her new credentials in the corporate world. Read more about Solomon’s story.
“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,” Solomon said. “Earning this degree has helped validate the years of experience I already had while giving me the educational background needed to pursue new opportunities.”
“This class set the tone for everyone who follows them,” Dr. Leshinskie added. “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.”
Visit SCC’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Management program for more information.