PHX Reporter

Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) has introduced a new Community Impact Award, with Beth Koehnemann as its first recipient. The award, named in her honor, will recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the Greater Paradise Valley area. Each year, PVCC will select a new honoree to continue Koehnemann’s legacy of community service.

“Beth Koehnemann’s unwavering commitment to the Paradise Valley community is an inspiring example of what true leadership looks like,” said Dr. Jana Schwartz, PVCC President. “She has dedicated her life to making our community a better place, and her legacy will continue to live on through this award. We are honored to recognize her, and we look forward to celebrating future leaders who follow in her footsteps.”

Koehnemann began her role as a community leader in the early 1980s by addressing critical needs in the Paradise Valley area. At that time, residents lacked essential services such as a fire station, library, well-maintained roads, and faced overcrowded schools. To address these issues, she helped form a Community Council with representatives from every voting district advocating for necessary amenities.

Currently serving on PVCC’s President's Community Advisory Council, Koehnemann chaired the community college task force where she worked with educators and leaders from various organizations. In 1982, this task force presented its findings to the Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board which led to the opening of a Rio Salado Center in the area—a step towards establishing a permanent community college.

Reflecting on this achievement, Koehnemann stated: “With much assistance from our local, state, and national elected officials, citizens and students in the area plus many MCCCD employees—look what we have today! This magnificent vibrant facility with the community still being involved. It is I feel a perfect example of what working together can accomplish.”

Despite her key role in enhancing education locally, Koehnemann remains modest about her contributions: “I didn’t do it alone. Anything I accomplished was accidental,” she said. “I just wanted to be a part of making our lives better and it morphed into being good for a lot of people.”

The Beth Koehnemann Community Impact Award aims to inspire others within PVCC by recognizing those who exemplify collaboration and community-driven change.

###