Sue Sandblom was named the 2026 Arthur W. DeCabooter Outstanding Educator of the Year at Scottsdale Community College (SCC) by the Scottsdale Charros, honoring her decades-long commitment to student success, academic excellence, and inspired teaching. A full-time residential faculty member, Sandblom currently teaches Introduction to Business and several management courses. She previously taught accounting and statistics and served as the SCC Business School Chair, where her leadership and steady guidance strengthened programs and supported both students and faculty.
“Teaching is my passion because I get to be part of those moments when students realize what they’re capable of. Watching them gain confidence, find direction, and discover what excites them makes every day meaningful,” said Sandblom.
Sandblom holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and an MBA from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Her professional background spans healthcare, the stock market, and real estate – experience she skillfully weaves into the classroom to bring real-world relevance to complex subjects. Teaching within the Maricopa County Community College District since January 1997, Sandblom is widely respected for her passion for education and her ability to help students discover their strengths and career pathways.
Sue received multiple nominations from her peers for her work serving students in educational and support roles, contributing to the culture of care and excellence at SCC, and exhibiting resilience, passion, humility, and respect for fellow faculty and students.
“Sue Sandblom exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator,” said Scottsdale Community College President Eric Leshinskie. “Her deep subject-matter expertise, real-world experience, and genuine commitment to student success make a lasting impact well beyond the classroom. She is a trusted leader among her colleagues and a powerful advocate for our students.”
New Business Bachelor Degree
Scottsdale Community College (SCC) recently launched its first-ever bachelor’s degree program, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Management. Sue spearheaded the development, approval, and implementation of this program. More than 750 students have enrolled in the program’s first year, setting a record for the largest debut enrollment of any bachelor’s program in the Maricopa County Community College District.
The new BBA program equips students with career-ready skills in leadership, operations, and organizational strategy, offering small class sizes, strong faculty support, and a streamlined, affordable curriculum. Students pay about one-third the tuition of a traditional four-year state university, with courses designed in collaboration with local business leaders to ensure workforce relevance.
The SCC Business School serves students who are seeking practical, flexible pathways into today’s business world. Whether students plan to transfer to a university business program, earn an associate degree in a specialized field, complete coursework online or in an accelerated format, or pursue professional development, the Business School offers programs designed to meet a wide range of goals.