Honoring our Past by Focusing on our Future

My family and I have been so warmly welcomed to our new home in Coconino County, and I have been busy in my new role as the sixth president of Coconino Community College. My priority upon assuming the post was to embark on a wide-ranging tour of the communities served by CCC to get a better sense of what is expected of your community college. In essence, I came prepared to learn. That meant listening to students, faculty, staff, community members and leaders, alums, partners, champions and even critics, as they spoke to me about what they find works for their community college, what challenges the college faces and what can be improved.

I heard stories filled with passion. I heard stories of dedication. I heard stories of how this college and its people have helped change so many lives. I learned of CCC’s history, of how each of the college’s locations and programs work as a whole. I have had time to process all this information, and I have compiled a report on my first 100 days, which organizes what I learned from all the conversations and meetings I had or attended throughout the county.

Informed by the past, firmly rooted in our present practices to help with student success, I am dedicated to challenging us all to envision – and then implement – strategies and actions that will help steer the college and our students into the future successfully as our institution, our state and our country continue to emerge from the effects of a global pandemic.

Education is the opportunity for people to create meaning in their lives and to have that chance, people need access to education – whether to acquire certification for new skills, to begin a journey toward a four-year degree, or simply to continue fulfilling a desire for personal enrichment. It is why I am in the field of education, and I am graced by every moment I get to be helpful in student journeys in creating meaning for their lives – to raise a family, to become better people, to find their passions and to hop on for the ride to take them wherever they may lead.

A successful first-year experience is crucial. Completion is the ultimate goal. Therefore, my report details a plan forward that takes access, first-year success and completion into account. There will be many partners on the way and this focus will need the selfless effort of the entire CCC community.

What I heard during my time of listening and learning about what CCC should focus on in the future fits into 11 categories:

Expand Educational Offerings – Focus on expanding educational offerings, with specific focus on career and technical (CTE) programs.

Enhance Student Support and Success – Focus on and put resources (budget) behind enhancing student support services to ensure success on their educational journey.

Make Mental Health a Priority – The mental health of CCC’s students and employees needs to be a priority as we move forward from the pandemic.

Enhance Communication and Transparency – Maximize communication among employees to ensure effectiveness in our vision and mission as a college.

Foster a Growth Mindset – Focus on the exciting and new possibilities for the next 30 years and move to a perspective of growth.

Clearly Communicate CCC’s Vision – Clearly communicate educational vision for the communities we serve based on a firm understanding of those communities by their members.

Foster Collaboration and Unify Culture – Dedicate the college to fostering collaboration as well as unifying the culture within the walls of the college.

Emphasize Professional Development – Provide more opportunities for faculty and staff to further themselves with professional development for the benefit of our students.

Embrace History and Focus on the Future – Acknowledge CCC’s 30-year history and keep that history in mind as we focus on the next 30 years and beyond.

Democratize Data – Use data to provide insight into how best to move forward, and ensure the data is publicly and easily accessible.

Enhance and Grow Partnerships – CCC must continue to cultivate and nurture partnerships with businesses, non-profits, and government agencies.

I express my gratitude and thanks to the CCC District Governing Board, NAU President Jose Luis Cruz-Rivera, CCC’s students, faculty and staff, and most of all, the residents of the communities served by CCC. I eagerly await working with all of you in partnership to make our college a place known for its desire to help all who come to our doors. In doing so, may we all honor CCC’s past by focusing on the college’s future. FBN

By Eric Heiser, Ph.D.

For a look at the complete 100-Day Report, visit www.coconino.edu/president.

Eric Heiser, Ph.D., is the president of Coconino Community College.