South Mountain Community College

South Mountain Community College is a community college in Phoenix, Arizona. It is part of the Maricopa County Community College District and was established by the governing board of the District on April 18, 1978. 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 more than 10,000 students each year. The college takes its name from South Mountain, which is a few kilometers to the south of campus. Approximately 8,500 students attend the college; the main campus is at 7050 South 24th Street, Phoenix, Arizona. Two additional locations are the Ahwatukee Foothills Center, 10429 South 51st Street, and the Guadalupe Center, 9233 S. Avenida del Yaqui (Priest Road, south of Guadalupe Road) in Guadalupe, Arizona.

South Mountain Community College is a federally designated Minority and Hispanic-serving institution.

2008 Shooting

A shooting took place at the college on July 24, 2008. Three people—age 17, 22, and 25—were wounded, two of them critically. Police reported that the shooter had been arrested.

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 public library. 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.

Shari L. Olson brings twenty-seven years of experience as an educator, coach, consultant, and administrator in higher education.[citation needed] Throughout her career she has remained committed to strengths-based leadership principles and developing the best in her students and colleagues.[citation needed] 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.

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 federally-designated Hispanic and Minority Serving Institution.

As one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges and the nation's largest district in terms of number of students served, SMCC maintains a long history of quality in education. Each year, more than 10,000 students take advantage of the associate degrees and certificates of completion from South Mountain Community College. Our courses transfer to universities and colleges nationwide, and provide students the tools needed for a lifetime of success.

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’s 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.

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