By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.
There are three startling facts that must be addressed if Arizona is to remain competitive in the 21st century.
First, only 42 percent of Arizona residents 25-64 years of age have completed a 2- or 4-year degree or received a postsecondary certificate. But by 2020, 7 out of 10 jobs in Arizona will require more than a high school diploma. In fact most will be “middle skills jobs,” requiring education/training beyond a high school diploma but less than a bachelor’s degree.
Second, the college going rate for Arizona high school graduates is 53 percent, putting the state 40th in the nation; the highest college going rates are approximately 75 percent. The percentage is slightly lower (52 percent) in Cochise County, causing one to wonder what recent graduates will be doing, now and in the future.
This leads to the third fact: today, 15 percent of youth age 16 to 24 are neither in school nor working. According to one recent count, that’s about 2,300 Cochise County “opportunity youth,” so named because they represent economic potential.
To encourage educational attainment, increase college going rates, and decrease the percentage of “opportunity youth,” the college will provide a scholarship to any Cochise County high school graduating senior who meets basic academic requirements and enrolls full time the semester after high school graduation. The scholarship is renewable with continued academic achievement for up to four consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment.
If you are the family, friend or influencer of a member of the local Class of 2018 – or subsequent classes – this column is for you and we need your help in getting the word out! The high school seniors who will graduate next May are the first to be eligible for the Graduating Senior Scholarship Guarantee at Cochise College. Award amounts will be based on students’ official high school GPAs. Thanks to the sheriff’s office and American Southwest Credit Union, scholarship opportunities for students who might not otherwise be eligible for merit-based financial assistance will be provided through the 5th Annual Cochise County Sheriff’s Charity Ride scheduled for Nov. 4. We encourage all to support this important initiative!
Funds raised at the Cochise College Foundation’s event “An Evening at the Races,” future endowment earnings, and an employee giving program also support the scholarship guarantee. If you, too, want to help impact the economic competitiveness of Cochise County, I would encourage you to contact the Cochise College Foundation at foundation@cochise.edu.
Education levels are linked to quality of life indicators like crime rates, population wellness, civic involvement, and financial security. Cochise College is working hard to support initiatives aimed at addressing workforce and economic competitiveness through various student success efforts. These include outreach to schools and a community awareness campaign; streamlined enrollment processes; redesigned developmental education curriculum in math, English and reading; and a student success component that places those who need it in an Academic Success Seminar. Cochise College is already accessible, and it is working to better enable students to achieve and complete. Over time, the college intends to extend its reach to lower grades to help students get on a path to earning the highest possible GPA and, therefore, the largest possible scholarship. It also intends to grow award amounts.
The Graduating Senior Scholarship Guarantee is now being promoted in schools. Deadlines and details are available at cochise.edu/scholarships. Encourage your graduating seniors to sign up now and your underclassmen to begin preparing for their future.
J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.