December 2022                                                     View as Webpage

An anonymous donor has pledged $5000 for the scholarship fund of our AAUW-NWV Branch. We are progressing toward meeting the challenge; please donate if you can!

Please send donations to AAUW-NWV, 13940 Meeker Blvd, Suite 115-217, Sun City West, AZ 85375.

On behalf of the scholarship recipients, we sincerely thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Contact Marge Whitman with any questions.

Annual Women’s Scholarship Fundraiser

“Trendy Fashion for Your Lifestyle”

  January 16, 2023

  Luncheon Event with Boutique Shopping

FOUNDATION ROOMS, 14465 RH Johnson Boulevard, Sun City West

Shopping 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM & after Luncheon

Luncheon 11:30 AM (with Theme Basket Raffle)

Click here for Fashion Show flyer

GIRLFRIENDS & MORE

We received this thank you for the books donated by "Girlfriends & More" to the Youngtown Public Library.

Thank you for visiting the Youngtown Library last week. I enjoyed our visit and your group so much. It really made my day. Thank you again for the book donations. There were 54 books donated in all! Such a wonderful gift for the children of Youngtown. I look forward to working and visiting with your group again.

Regards,

Mary Vass, MLS

Library and Museum Manager

Youngtown Public Library.

Hoop of Learning is a high school-to-bridge program that connects American Indian students to higher education at a young age. This program has been in existence since 1995 and was initiated through grant funding at Phoenix College by dedicated parents and staff within the Phoenix Unified High School District. MCCCD institutionalized the program and expanded across the valley and into other community colleges with our system.

The program has now been expanded to nine of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges. Over the 27 years that Hoop of Learning has been in existence MCCCD has seen thousands of students come through this program. Pre-covid the program was averaging 371 unduplicated students a year. Although during Covid we have seen a decrease in enrollment, we have not seen the academic success decrease as indicated in 2021-2022 the average GPA was 3.19.

Each year numerous students graduate from the program. In 2021, we had 78 seniors who graduated, and of those 22 matriculated into one of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Although we are not always aware of what each student does after our program, we know that many express a desire to get their education and return to their communities.

Looking at our larger group of American Indian students, who are those who are post-high school graduation for the academic year of 2021-2022, we had approximately 6,125 students. Of those students they represented 20 of the 22 Arizona tribes, as well as tribal students from across the nation’s tribes. Arizona is lucky to have such a diverse Native population and MCCCD continues to outreach and engage with our tribal communities to identify ways we can continue to support our students.

Currently within MCCCD there are three formalized programs that serve our American Indian students. They include the American Indian Institute at Mesa Community College (MCC), the American Indian Program at Scottsdale Community College (SCC), and Native American Student Center at South Mountain Community College (SMCC). MCCCD is very unique in that SCC is the only public community college located on tribal lands that they lease from the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.

During November, as well as throughout the year, our colleges celebrate our Indigenous students and their culture. This is done through curriculum related to courses, literature, Indigenous authors, music, language, art, among many others. There are many activities going on both at our campuses and across the valley that celebrate the unique and important place that American Indians have in Arizona. Please see our calendar and websites at each college to see a list of numerous activities.

Definitely, a big THANK YOU to the many branch members who contributed 'More than Mac & Cheese' to the FOOD PANTRY at Glendale Community College.

Definitely there was plenty of Mac & Cheese, but also a variety of snacks, cereals, soups, dried fruits, instant meals, and crackers. We also gave personal care items like shampoo, toothpaste, soaps, and cosmetics. Our collection will assist the students as they try to balance class and home responsibilities.

Pictured are Gail Peterson, Barbara McCart, and Diane Smith who assisted with our branch collection. Thanks ladies! - Ann Mitchell, College Connection Team

Meet Our Partners

Michelle Alcantar is the Interim Development Director at Glendale Community College. She supports Veterans, STEM, Million Dollar Tree, Girls Robotics, Mental Health Awareness, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Llama Day in Surprise, AZ.

Michelle is an experienced community director with a history of creating business and education partnerships in the higher education industry. Past positions include Executive Coordinator at Arizona State University, Director of Education Partnerships ASU, and Director of Phoenix Union High School District. Michelle holds a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism and a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from ASU.

Rio Salado College Visit

November 29, 2022

For the twenty-three AAUW branch members who attended the visit to Rio Salado College-Surprise location, it was a real eye opener. Melissa Lawrence, Program Manager, and Neely Lewis, Instructional Services Supervisor, discussed the many classes and services that are available to students in the West Valley. Read more

Special thanks to Maryalice Quinn and Sharon Treinen who acted as cashiers for the brunch, and to Corrine Povich and Stephanie Rogall who selected the dessert from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

This year, our Special Interest Groups' “baskets” raffle are part of our Fashion Show Fundraiser on January 16, 2023. Groups should consider different containers beside baskets, such as reusable shopping bags. And also gift variations such as a gift card tree with passes to local events or outings, local special treats, a cooking class for friends, etc.

Your ideas always are so interesting. Creativity is Encouraged! 

Check the Membership Directory (link) and Eblast updates for addresses and phone numbers.

AAUW NWV Newsletter:  Nine issues published September thru May.  

**Newsletter deadline: 25th of the preceding month**

Submit all articles to Marge Haberman.  Reporters and photographers – we need your time and talent!

Format text in Microsoft Word and photos as Jpeg.