Maricopa Community Colleges is marking a significant milestone this spring as nearly 100 students from six of its ten colleges are set to receive bachelor’s degrees. This achievement comes less than two years after the system introduced its first bachelor’s degree programs.
“Last spring, we became the first community college system in Arizona to confer bachelor’s degrees to six students. Today, that number has grown significantly, a clear signal that students want, and more importantly, need accessible pathways to higher education,” stated Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges. “Meeting students where they are is vital to their success, and our bachelor’s degree programs do just that.”
Five out of eight available bachelor’s programs will see graduates this year. These include Behavioral Sciences, Early Childhood Education – Dual Language, Elementary Education and Special Education, Information Technology, and Public Safety Administration.
Since the launch of these programs, over 5,400 students have enrolled across eight offerings. The programs aim to address workforce needs in Arizona’s key sectors.
This fall will see the introduction of three new programs: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning along with two business-focused degrees at three colleges. Initial enrollment figures indicate interest from over 600 students.
Highlighting some of this year’s graduates:
Aryanaz Besharatlou from Phoenix College will earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology. She emphasized the benefits of starting at a community college for affordability and proximity to home. “Getting my bachelor’s degree means that I now have the knowledge to expand my horizon and have the career that I want,” she said.
Amber Hernandez from Mesa Community College is graduating with an associate degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education – Dual Language. As a first-generation college student, she chose this path due to Arizona’s linguistic diversity. “Maricopa Community Colleges is helping me achieve this goal by giving me quality instructors, resources, and classes,” Hernandez noted.
Lindsay Martinez began her journey as a Dual Enrollment student in high school and is now graduating from South Mountain Community College with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences. She aspires to be a mental health professional who inspires others. “When Maricopa started advertising bachelor’s degree opportunities, I decided to pursue my real passion,” Martinez shared.
For more information on Maricopa Community Colleges’ bachelor’s degrees, visit maricopa.edu.
