Paradise Valley Community College
Encyclopedia
Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is a 2-year community college
in Phoenix, Arizona
. It is located in the North Phoenix neighborhood. A branch campus, PVCC at Black Mountain, opened in August 2009 in the far northern section of Scottsdale, Arizona
to serve this rapidly growing area. It will also provide greater access for the communities of Cave Creek
and Carefree
.
The college mascot
is the puma and the colors are sand and turquoise.
Despite its name, PVCC is located some distance from the actual town of Paradise Valley, Arizona
, which is adjacent to Phoenix but independent from it. Other facilities in this part of the city use Paradise Valley in their names as well.
as the Northeast Valley Education Center in 1985 with classes temporarily held at Paradise Valley High School
. The district gave the college its present name and began campus construction in 1986 and inaugurated the permanent site during 1987. The college had operated as an extension of Scottsdale Community College
and gained independent accreditation in 1990. Since then, PVCC has expanded in both campus size and enrollment along with the development of the Phoenix area.
The campus now includes the George L. Campbell Branch Library, formerly part of the Maricopa County Library District
. A Learning Resources Complex is on campus, with its own library, computer labs, and tutoring center.
Several art collections, such as the over 600 Western-themed pieces donated by faculty-emeritus member Dr. Warren Buxton, are on display near the college's library.
The PVCC Center for the Performing Arts, containing stage facilities for drama and music performances, opened in 2005.
A new building for the study of life sciences (anatomy, physiology, general biology, biotechnology, microbiology, marine biology and environmental biology programs) opened at the main campus in August 2009. It includes seven classrooms, six biology labs and two anatomy/physiology labs, one of which is a cadaver lab, plus lab support spaces and administrative offices.
. The Lady Pumas women's cross-country
team has won the national championship many times since their first in 1997, and the men's team has also carried two national titles. The women's soccer team has also become prominent, often appearing at the regional competition level.
Athletic facilities, such as tennis and handball courts, are on the south side of campus. New sports fields were recently built on land reclaimed from a floodplain nearby. The eastern edge of the campus borders Paradise Valley Golf Course, which is operated by the Maricopa County government.
Valley Metro
buses from routes 16 and 186 serve the campus. For many years, the campus was served by express route 500, but in 2003, this service was canceled and replaced with the RAPID service that departs from Bell Road and State Route 51 Park-and-Ride.
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. It is located in the North Phoenix neighborhood. A branch campus, PVCC at Black Mountain, opened in August 2009 in the far northern section of Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
to serve this rapidly growing area. It will also provide greater access for the communities of Cave Creek
Cave Creek, Arizona
Cave Creek is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona in the United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town was 4,951.-Geography:...
and Carefree
Carefree, Arizona
Carefree is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 3,799.-History:...
.
The college mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is the puma and the colors are sand and turquoise.
Despite its name, PVCC is located some distance from the actual town of Paradise Valley, Arizona
Paradise Valley, Arizona
Paradise Valley is a small, affluent town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2005 Census Bureau, the population of the town was 14,558. Despite the town's relatively small area and population compared to other municipalities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Paradise...
, which is adjacent to Phoenix but independent from it. Other facilities in this part of the city use Paradise Valley in their names as well.
History
PVCC was originally founded by the Maricopa County Community College DistrictMaricopa County Community College District
The Maricopa County Community College District, in Maricopa County, Arizona, is the largest community college district in the United States. The district serves Maricopa County, the county that includes and surrounds Phoenix and is the most populous of the state's counties...
as the Northeast Valley Education Center in 1985 with classes temporarily held at Paradise Valley High School
Paradise Valley High School
Paradise Valley High School, Phoenix, Arizona , was the first of five high schools built in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. Paradise Valley High School opened in 1957. The school's athletic teams are referred to as the Trojans. Featuring a Block Schedule, Paradise Valley teaches a wide...
. The district gave the college its present name and began campus construction in 1986 and inaugurated the permanent site during 1987. The college had operated as an extension of Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College, is located in Salt River, Arizona, a suburb/rural area of Phoenix. Scottsdale Community College is a two-year college located on the eastern boundary of the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, on 160 acres of land belonging to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community...
and gained independent accreditation in 1990. Since then, PVCC has expanded in both campus size and enrollment along with the development of the Phoenix area.
The campus now includes the George L. Campbell Branch Library, formerly part of the Maricopa County Library District
Maricopa County Library District
Maricopa County Library District is a public library system located in central Arizona. The Library District serves unincorporated areas in Maricopa County, Arizona in addition the District partners with cities/towns and school districts to operate their libraries. The District operates 17...
. A Learning Resources Complex is on campus, with its own library, computer labs, and tutoring center.
Several art collections, such as the over 600 Western-themed pieces donated by faculty-emeritus member Dr. Warren Buxton, are on display near the college's library.
The PVCC Center for the Performing Arts, containing stage facilities for drama and music performances, opened in 2005.
A new building for the study of life sciences (anatomy, physiology, general biology, biotechnology, microbiology, marine biology and environmental biology programs) opened at the main campus in August 2009. It includes seven classrooms, six biology labs and two anatomy/physiology labs, one of which is a cadaver lab, plus lab support spaces and administrative offices.
Athletics
PVCC is affiliated with the National Junior College Athletic AssociationNational Junior College Athletic Association
The National Junior College Athletic Association , founded in 1938, is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions.-History:The idea for the NJCAA was...
. The Lady Pumas women's cross-country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
team has won the national championship many times since their first in 1997, and the men's team has also carried two national titles. The women's soccer team has also become prominent, often appearing at the regional competition level.
Athletic facilities, such as tennis and handball courts, are on the south side of campus. New sports fields were recently built on land reclaimed from a floodplain nearby. The eastern edge of the campus borders Paradise Valley Golf Course, which is operated by the Maricopa County government.
Transportation
The college is a short distance west of State Route 51 and south of the Loop 101 interchange.Valley Metro
Valley Metro (Phoenix)
Valley Metro is the unified public brand of the regional transit system in and around the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area, responsible for public transit.-About Valley Metro:...
buses from routes 16 and 186 serve the campus. For many years, the campus was served by express route 500, but in 2003, this service was canceled and replaced with the RAPID service that departs from Bell Road and State Route 51 Park-and-Ride.
Notable faculty and staff
- Dr. Mary Lou Mosley Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Dr. Jacalyn Askin Vice President of Administrative Services
- Dr. Shirley Green Vice President of Student Affairs
- Paul Golisch Dean of Information Technology
- Dr. Denise Digianfilippo Dean of Academic Affairs
- Dr. Harry Birkmann Geology Department
- Michelle Willams AJS Department
- Tom Simpson Communications Professor