10 May 2 - 15, 2009
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Enrollment from Page 1
Ottawa University, a Kansas-based institute with a high growth profession as people are seeking help “There are times when some activities may not run
locations across the Midwest, recently held an offi cial dealing with marriage issues, career counseling and due to the minimum enrollment not being reached,
ribbon-cutting for its new campus in the Chandler other therapy needs.” but that is a programming factor that normally occurs
Airpark. The University, which is geared towards Ottawa University works closely with other local at different points in the year at the TRC and other City
accommodating adults returning to complete a degree facilities to help facilitate and streamline the process. recreation facilities,” he explains. “The staff constantly
or enhance employment skills, has had a presence in This allows students to use coursework from junior gathers input to change or develop new classes that meet
the area since its Phoenix branch opened in 1977. But colleges towards a four-year diploma through Ottawa. the needs and interests of residents.”
the Chandler campus, located at the southwest corner of “We have a strong relationship with the area community Many SanTan Sun area families are fi nding that
the Santan Loop 202 and Cooper Road, offers new colleges,” explains Hoffman. “We work together to make when money is tight, the classes, camps and activities
opportunities to the East Valley. degree completion as seamless as possible.” offer a great value in entertainment and educational
“This area was underserved for post-secondary opportunities.
education facilities,” says Ottawa University-Arizona
Enrollment up throughout area
“Tumbleweed Rec Center is always increasing the
Campus Executive Offi cer Dr. Allan Hoffman. “We’ve
Chandler Gilbert Community College (CGCC) has seen
types of classes and camps offered,” reports O’Mahony.
been operational since July of 2008, but we had our offi cial
a similar uptick in enrollment over the past year, also
“We’re beginning a new event called Family Night at
ribbon-cutting ceremony with the mayor in February.
spurred in part by fi nancial concerns.
Tumbleweed every Wednesday from 5:30-7 p.m. It will
Enrollment numbers are strong, and we anticipate great
“Typically in times of an economic downturn,
feature different recreational activities and is only $2 for
growth potential in Chandler.”
community colleges do see an increase in enrollment
children, $3 for teens and free for TRC pass holders.”
Currently, Ottawa’s Chandler campus has more than
as students return to school to update existing skills
For more information on classes offered, visit:
800 students and offers 11 different degree programs,
or re-career into a new fi eld,” says Media Relations &
Ottawa University: www.ottawa.edu/AZ
including majors in arts, sciences, math, English, public
Publications Coordinator for
Chandler Gilbert Community College:
administration, law enforcement and healthcare among
Chandler-Gilbert Community College Trish Niemann.
www.cgc.maricopa.edu
others. Hoffman notes that in today’s economy, having a
“CGCC’s enrollment has continued to increase over
City of Chandler Dept. of Recreation:
college diploma is more important than ever.
the past several years due to a combination of factors,
www.chandleraz.gov/registration
“National data shows that the fi rst people laid off in an
including area growth and an increase in the breadth and

economic downturn are usually those with fewer skills
depth of the programs the college offers.”
Miriam Van Scott of Kerby Estates is a freelance writer and
and less education,” explains Hoffman. “Our enrollment
CGCC currently serves over 16,000 students annually,
Chandler transplant from the Washington, D.C. area. She can be
numbers refl ect that emphasis on getting a degree.
offering two-year degrees as well as prep for four-year
reached at Miriam@SanTanSun.com.
The Chandler campus is showing a 12 percent increase
programs. And while the student body consists primarily
over this same term last year, and nationally, Ottawa’s
of recent high school graduates, the college is also seeing
enrollment is up 84 percent.”
more adult learners and working professionals returning
to school.
CGCC, NAU program offers
“The majority of our students are traditionally-age
economical degrees
college students,” Niemann reports. “But CGCC has seen
an increase in reentry students returning to college to
Chandler is home to Arizona’s most affordable
update their existing skills to compete in the job market
bachelor degrees, thanks to the 90/30 partnership
or in order to re-career into completely new fi elds.” program currently offered by Chandler-Gilbert Community
Most CGCC students will transfer to universities to
College (CGCC) and Northern Arizona University (NAU).
complete bachelor’s programs, but the college also
The program, which began last fall, allows students
offers a variety of associate degrees and professional
to take their fi rst 90 college credits at CGCC and their
certifi cates in such fi elds as Electric Utility Technology
fi nal 30 credits through NAU at CGCC’s Pecos campus.
Students transferring to the 90/30 degree programs can
and Aviation. And the school works with area employers
apply around 30 more community college credits toward
like SRP, Cessna and U.S. Airways on job placement for
a bachelor’s degree than current two-year transfer degree
its graduates.
students, saving approximately $193 per credit hour.
Some of the non-credit classes slated for the upcoming Chandler resident July Johns is using the 90/30
STSN photo
year on the Pecos Campus have been cancelled due to
program to earn her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary
LEARN: Eleven degree programs are offered at Ottawa low enrollments, but Niemann says CGCC will continue
studies with an emphasis on public management.
University’s Chandler campus, south of the Santan Loop 202
to offer them in “a more limited number than what we’ve
“I would recommend this program for all students,
off Cooper Road. Currently there are more than 800 students
offered in the past.” She says CGCC classes are also
whether they are coming straight from high school
enrolled. or are re-entry students,” she says. “Not only is the
offered in Sun Lakes.
Hoffman cites two distinct reasons that Ottawa appeals
savings tremendous, but Deanna Hughes, the program
“We will still have a number of fun non-credit offerings
to so many adults returning to the classroom. The fi rst is
coordinator, is always available for questions and has
geared primarily for mature adults through the NAIL
made the progress towards a degree very easy to
to complete a degree program left unfi nished due to job
(New Adventures in Learning) program at Sun Lakes.” follow. She keeps us informed of the classes we need
changes, family issues or other factors.
to take, when to register, and what to expect in future
“Many people come in with credits and courses from
different colleges across the country,” says Hoffman. “We
Rec Center classes popular
semesters.”
Degrees offered through the CGCC and NAU 90/30
look at these as well as their life experience and fi nd a
Even leisure classes generally remain popular despite
partnership include a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of
degree program that fi ts the students’ particular needs.”
a sputtering economy, as evidenced by enrollment
science in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in
The second phenomenon refl ected in Ottawa’s growth
numbers from Tumbleweed Recreation Center. public management, and a bachelor of arts and a bachelor
is the desire to transition to a different career.
“Many of the recreation classes for different age
of science in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in
“We have many students who are interested in going
groups are going well at Tumbleweed,” says Liam
humanities.
into teaching as a second career,” Hoffman notes. “Even
O’Mahony, information specialist with the City of
CGCC is located at 2626 E. Pecos Rd. For information
in this economy, there’s a statewide need for K-8 teachers.
Chandler’s recreation department. “Enrollment has been
on the 90/30 partnership, call Deanna Hughes at
480-732-7243, or visit www.cgc.edu/nau.
Others are choosing to go into counseling, which is also
increasing every season with each new quarterly Break
Time magazine.
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