South Mountain Community College - South Mountain Community College

South Mountain Community College is a community college in Phoenix, Arizona. It is one of the ten colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District.

History

South Mountain Community College was established by the governing board of the Maricopa County Community College District on April 18, 1978, opening its doors in 1980. Serving Phoenix, Ahwatukee, Guadalupe and Laveen, South Mountain Community College offers associate degrees, certificates of completion, courses that transfer to universities and technology training to 7,500 students each year. The college takes its name from South Mountain, which is a few kilometers to the south of campus. The main campus is located at 7050 South 24th Street, Phoenix, Arizona. Two additional locations are the Guadalupe Center, 9233 South Avenida del Yaqui (Priest Road, south of Guadalupe Road) in Guadalupe, Arizona, and the Laveen Center, 5001 West Dobbins Road in Laveen, Arizona. South Mountain Community College carries the maximum 10-year accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. A member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, SMCC is also a f ederally designated Hispanic Serving Institution.

Current President

The college president, Dr. Shari L. Olson brings thirty years of experience as an educator, coach, consultant, and administrator in higher education. Throughout her career she has remained committed to strengths-based leadership principles and developing the best in her students and colleagues. On June 16, 2010 the Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities named her Interim President at Anoka Technical College. Prior to this assignment, she worked as system director of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities at the Office of the Chancellor. She also served as the President of Eastern Wyoming College, where she implemented a strategic planning model which utilized appreciative inquiry to create a new vision statement, strategic directions, value statements, vital initiatives, and annual action plans.

Community Library

A new Library was constructed and opened in the beginning of the Fall Semester of 2011. This library is not only for student use, but doubles as a branch of the Phoenix Public Library, and as such, open to the general public. Within the 50,000 square feet (4,600 m²) of the library there is a cyber cafe', a teen space, a collection with over 110,000 pieces, a dedicated children's area/story time, as well as quiet reading/study areas. This new library was designed by Richard Bauer.

Northern Arizona University at South Mountain Community College

Northern Arizona University (NAU) and South Mountain Community College (SMCC) have teamed up to create a program that allows students to complete their bachelor's degree on the SMCC campus after finishing their associate degree. NAU maintains a building on the SMCC campus, offering bachelor's degree programs in Elementary Education and Interdisciplinary Studies. More bachelor's degrees will be offered at the SMCC campus in the future, based on local interest and enrollment.

Breathe Easy

South Mountain Community College, along with the entire Maricopa County Community College District, has made the commitment toward a healthier environment for employees, students and guests. On July 1, 2012, all district colleges and district-owned facilities became tobacco-free.

Notable alumni

• Chris Duffy
• Julio C. Barrandey
• Andrew R.C. Davis
• Randy Henry MiLB Pitcher
• Stephanie R. Glossbrenner (Suma Kum Lati 2015)