On September 13, 1920, ŷֳ opened its doors forever changing the educational landscape of Maricopa County. Since then, nearly one million students have studied at ŷֳ. PC grew from its first class of 18 students to enrollment today of more than 12,000, housed on a 50-acre campus in the heart of ŷֳ. PC has a long history as a pioneering institution, with a special place in ŷֳ and Arizona history. PC's founders envisioned the College as a place of inclusion, and the College continues to be a place of diversity, equity, and access. Today, PC has the third-largest Alumni Association in the State of Arizona, counting business owners, world-renowned artists, Arizona Supreme Court Justice, the City of ŷֳ Fire Chief, and a world-cup soccer champion among the roster of graduates.
In honor of PC’s Centennial, a number of initiatives are underway. For more than 18 months, PC has collaborated with alumna and author Stella Pope Duarte, to painstakingly curate stories, photos, artifacts, quotes and important details – culminating in an incredible accounting of PC’s history, told through lively prose and vivid imagery.
The book, Our Past. Your Future. History of ŷֳ highlights significant PC milestones including the civilian pilot training program, early computer-aided instruction, social justice programming and decades-long traditions like Bear Day, collegiate athletics, and important educational innovations.
“The legacy of ŷֳ is one of inclusion. The forefathers of the college envisioned a culture of care centered on the support and success of the most vulnerable students. Today, I am honored to serve as president for this venerable institution. PC continues to be an institution focused on positive student outcomes while continually evolving to meet the unique needs of today's learners,” said PC president Dr. Larry Johnson.
PC’s Centennial, coffee table book, with foreword by Arizona State Historian Marshall Trimble, is not to be missed. Proceeds from book sales fund the new My Future Scholarship; helping ensure educational opportunity and equity for generations to come.
Learn more at ;
On September 14th we invite you to celebrate PC’s one-hundred year history of providing equity and access in education. Watch the video invitation. Pre-register for our first-ever virtual Founders' Day celebration here:
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Contact Erika Keenan, Marketing Manager at ŷֳ
erika.keenan@phoenixcollege.edu
About ŷֳ:
ŷֳ is the flagship of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. The College will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2020. ŷֳ offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates and short-term job training to more than 17,000 students annually.