BACKGROUND

Phoenix College (PC) owns the distinction of being the Valley’s first community college. Founded eight years after Arizona became a state in 1920, PC graduated its first class of five students in 1922. In the past eighty-five years, tens of thousands more students have passed through its doors. Whether they seek a two-year degree, prepare to transfer to a university, or wish to complete an occupational training program, students form a bond with the college that lasts a lifetime, as is the case with PC alumnus Leo Dominguez '39: “Phoenix College has been an important part of my life since I graduated over sixty five years ago, and I am proud to still be involved through the PCAA.”

Throughout PC’s history, there have been several attempts to organize an alumni association. In fact, one attempt dates as far back as the 1930’s. However, it was not until the mid-1980’s when the college revisited the idea that things began to take shape. During this time PC began hosting alumni gatherings and socials, which became popular among the alumni.

Momentum and enthusiasm grew among over the idea of forming an alumni association, and in March 1989 a team of 70 charter alumni members, assisted by two college staff members, officially launched the formation of the Phoenix College Alumni Association (PCAA). Shortly thereafter, a volunteer Board of Directors was elected to formalize its structure and the organization was off the ground.

Over 700 alumni signed up when the PCAA first organized. Today, our roster of registered members tops 19,000. Membership is free and there are no dues. If you graduated or attended PC, you are considered alumni. The PCAA owns the special distinction of being the first official alumni association in the Maricopa Community College District—the nation’s largest community college district. The association is a vital link between PC, the community, and students-past, present, and future.

PC alumni maintain their loyalty to the college. Thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers who commit their time, talents and treasures, the PCAA marked its 16th anniversary in 2005. When asked how the PCAA has continued to remain a viable organization, Bob Howell '47, Past President of the PCAA and current Half-Century Club President, credits an “ongoing balance between friendraising and fundraising, and a roll-up-your-sleeves work attitude from our active volunteers.”

With signature programs like the PCAA Scholarship Project, which continues to impact the lives of dozens of students every year, as well as annual events like “Phoenix College History Makers,” the PCAA Hall of Fame Induction Dinner & Silent Auction, and the Half-Century Club Spring Annual Meeting & Luncheon, the PCAA continues to be a volunteer driven effort that strives to cross generational lines with its programming.

In recent years, the PCAA entered new territory through their award winning partnership with PC's ACE Program (Achieving a College Education). This partnership has brought together alumni and faculty in an unprecedented collaboration to reach out to inner city youth and help address the Valley’s high school dropout crisis. A highlight for the PCAA and the college came in 2003 when it received national recognition by CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) for its collaboration with the ACE Program. Phoenix College won the prestigious Gold Award for “Best Practices in Alumni Relations - Collaboration with Campus Units,” competing with such institutions as Brigham Young University, Pepperdine University, and the USC. At the local level, this collaboration was named PC's "Innovation of the Year" for 2004 and went on to represent PC at the Maricopa Community Colleges District Innovation of the Year competition.

This collaboration continues to expand thanks to our partnership with the American Express Company. In 2004, American Express provided funding to promote financial literacy among students of PC's ACE Program through the alumni's Personal Money Management program known as “PM².”

The PCAA is an integral part of the community that promotes a lifelong link between generations of alumni and the college.  The association looks forward to a bright and successful future for many years to come.