By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.
Cochise College has fared well on numerous national rankings in recent years. Most recently, the college earned the notice of guidetoonlineschools.com for the economic mobility of its students, and WalletHub named Cochise the second best community college in the nation, based on an analysis of 14 indicators in the areas of Cost & Financing, Educational Outcomes, and Career Outcomes.
The methodology used to develop these rankings makes it clear that Cochise College stands out on a student’s Return on Educational Investment. For a cost that compares well with other institutions, plus an outstanding faculty and staff that are committed to student success, graduates are able to transition from being a student, seeking skills and knowledge, to a graduate, seeking employment opportunities or advanced degrees. Cochise College graduates are ready to enter the workforce and contribute to the economic well being of themselves, their family, and the community. It’s not just that Cochise is affordable and accessible. It’s about student success! It’s the instructional quality, support services, and culture of caring that helps shape a graduate who is prepared for their next step, whatever that may be.
Living examples of Cochise’s positive return on investment are neither few nor far between.
There’s Melissa Wendl (‘17), who has seen many benefits related to her financial situation, not to mention her own self-esteem. Melissa finished registered nurse training in May and began working in intensive care at Canyon Vista Medical Center in July. She covered the cost of her training out of pocket and with loans and scholarships. Her income allows her young family to experience things like the theater and zoo, expenses that she previously would have questioned. “It’s incredible to be able to do that without thinking about whether it’s affordable. It’s also an amazing feeling to be able to use the knowledge I gained for such a small investment to be able to help people, teach them things they don’t know about their bodies, and make a trip to the hospital, which is usually a horrible day, a little bit better.”
There’s also Linda Barker (‘06), a faculty member in sociology at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff who is pursuing an Ed.D. in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education and community colleges. Linda credits her time at Cochise with helping her find her voice and develop critical thinking processes that she believes have made her a greater citizen, voter and human being. “My confidence and ability to ‘not know’ and ask questions comes from the faculty, staff, and administration that truly supported not just students but each other. That leadership is more rare than I knew then. I love (love!) what Cochise College offers and how it opened doors for me that were not even on my horizon! I speak of my alumni experience often and hold myself to a standard of integrity and ethics that was present to me from my experience at Cochise. I try to remember that spirit as I teach at my college.”
Tombstone native Charles Escarcega (‘89) credits a former drafting faculty member with taking the time to show him university programs. Charles was a member of the 1984 Apache baseball team, earned an associate of applied science in mechanical drafting from Cochise College, then went on to Arizona State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology. Charles held a variety of engineering positions within the semiconductor, mechanical engineering, telecom and electrical engineering fields, taking him throughout the U.S. and Europe for work-related projects. “I am very thankful for meeting people like Max Schoenhals and Coach Bo Hall. These people had a very positive effect on my life journey.”
Kimberly Friend (‘88, ‘94) earned degrees in electronics and avionics, plus a certificate in building maintenance, and ended up with a career that ranged from Tucson International Airport to Southeast Arizona Medical Center, and from facility maintenance and management at Raymond W Bliss Army Health Center to command engineer and facility manager at the Fort Huachuca Electronic Proving Ground.
We are proud of our accomplishments and the accomplishments of our graduates. But we can do more! There are many individuals in Cochise County who need educational services but believe they are out of reach. That’s why we are implementing the Graduating Senior Scholarship Guarantee. The college’s goal of providing a scholarship to every Cochise County high school graduating senior is to provide more students with an opportunity to receive a return on their investment. We want to help position them for success and also impact state-level initiatives to increase post-high school enrollment and credential attainment, both of which are important workforce priorities.
We are passionate about creating opportunities for students to explore and achieve and equally enthusiastic to highlight the successes of alumni. If you’re a Cochise College alum who’s willing to share your story, contact us at www.cochise.edu/alumni. You are part of an institution that is positioning itself to shine even brighter.
J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.