1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
602–285–7500

Revitalization of the Phoenix Think Tank Brings Educational Leaders to Campus

by: Christy Skeen

The Phoenix Think Tank has a long history of thinking and doing: collaboratively bringing together K-12, higher education, business, government and community-based organizations to ensure that Phoenix urban students remain in school to maximize their learning potential.

With the growth of the Phoenix valley, and the critical need to focus energy on the achievement of Phoenix residents, Phoenix College, South Mountain Community College and Gateway Community College led this renewed effort for 2003 and 2004, as it recently kicked off the year with a breakfast at Phoenix College.

Phoenix College President, Dr. Corina Gardea welcomed a number of invited guests ranging from school superintendents to business and community partners. Some included Director of Prevention Services at Valle de Sol, Mr. Jerry Martinez; Phoenix Union High School District Superintendent, Dr. Raj Chopra; Univision Community and Public Relations Director, Mr. Jess Flores; Arizona Quest for Kids Site Coordinator of the Madison School District, Ms. Ann Oehmke; Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Student Development of the Maricopa Community Colleges, Dr. Anna Solley; Associate Dean of Statewide Programs at Northern Arizona State University (NAU), Dr. Patricia Moore; and Associate Division Director for Initial Teacher Certification at Arizona State University (ASU), Dr. Elaine Surbeck.

Superintendent of the Murphy School District, Bob Donofrio, was also among the special guests and presenters. He provided the group with a brief history of the Phoenix Think Tank since its inception in 1988.

After retracing the Phoenix Think Tank’s history, South Mountain Community College President, Dr. Ken Atwater encouraged guests to look into securing a positive future for education. This allowed attendees an opportunity to identify potential areas of concern that the Phoenix Think Tank could possibly pursue in the upcoming months.

Dr. Gene Giovannini, Gateway Community College President, led the group in its work to focus on a number of critical issues. These non-prioritized topics included:

--Safer schools;
--Grassroot efforts that connect children to school and foster hope and aspirations;
--Education of undocumented students;
--Aligning behavioral health and education systems;
--Connecting Head Start and preschool to a P-20 system;
--Leveraging media resources;
--Support for drop-outs to return to school;
--Improve teacher quality and promote teaching as a career path;
--College students mentoring younger students to create positive role models;
--Middle school to high school drop-out rate;
--Pooling resources in the face of budget cuts;
--Providing positive environments from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for children with no place to go;
--Connect 7th and 8th graders to college; and
--Use community forums as a way to reach inner city parents who need information and support.

Phoenix Think Tank will continue to meet throughout the year at various locations to further serve its mission.