2013 Graduates Focus on their Future - San Juan College

FROM THE
PRESIDENT
from the
president’s
desk
Dr. Toni Pendergrass
Commencement is one of the most exciting times of the year,
and as your president and a former student, it gives me great
pride to celebrate each graduate’s success. It is truly rewarding
to see the pride on the faces of family, friends and loved ones
as their graduate crosses the stage to receive that wellearned
diploma. Having traveled this same road, I know that
each student’s accomplishments were not without struggles,
challenges and sacrifices. Balancing classes, study time and
projects with family and jobs is a quite a feat, and one that
certainly is to be applauded.
This is a phenomenal accomplishment, and one that has
built a foundation for future successes. Whether our students
are embarking on a new career or continuing their education,
I hope each will reflect on this accomplishment, be proud and
know that they have what it takes to achieve all of their future
dreams and goals.
Earning a degree not only provides a great sense of
accomplishment, it also enhances graduates’ ability to increase
their income. In a recent economic impact study conducted
by Economic Modeling Specialist Intl. (EMSI), results showed
that the average annual income of students who completed an
associate’s degree and worked in the San Juan College service
area, earned 35 percent more than those with a high school
diploma. This is a strong indicator that our graduates are on
their way to a lucrative future.
Along with congratulating our graduates for a job well
done, I would like to thank our faculty and staff for their
dedication to ensure our students’ success. I also want to
thank our board for their continued support of our college and
community. Congratulations to Shane Chance, Dr. Joseph Pope
and Ken Hare who were recently re-elected to the board. At our
April Board of Trustees meeting, board members elected new
officers – Dr. Joseph Pope, will serve as board chairman; John
Thompson as vice chairman; and Evelyn Benny as secretary. We
are fortunate to have these members, as well as Chad King and
Mathew Tso, who each are truly committed to the welfare and
success of both the college and community.
Kim Carpenter to speak at San Juan
College Graduation
Kim Carpenter, CEO of San Juan County and a #1 New
York Times Best Selling Author, will be the keynote
speaker at San Juan College’s graduation ceremonies
on Saturday, May 11. Carpenter was born and raised in
Farmington, a member of the Farmington High Class of
1984 and a San Juan College attendee in the same year.
He is a graduate of New Mexico Highlands University with
a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s degree
in Human Performance and Education Administration.
Kim has also completed Harvard University’s Institute of
Higher Education in Management Development.
Kim and his wife, Krickitt, became the center of
international attention first when an accident changed
their lives and again when the couple wrote a book about
the experience which was later turned into a major motion
picture. Ten weeks after their wedding, the couple was in
a car accident that left Krickitt with brain injuries and no
memory of being married to Kim. Eventually, the two fell
back in love and “re-married” in 1996 on Valentine’s Day.
Their story became a book that topped the New York
Times non-fiction best sellers list and a movie starring
Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams which became
the sixth best-selling romantic drama movie in history
and was the number one movie in the Box Office on its
opening week in 23 different countries.
Kim now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of
San Juan County and has worked in public service for
more than 24 years, including higher education and
local government positions. He has also served as an
accomplished motivational and inspirational speaker
for over 14 years and has spoken at universities,
conferences and in front of sports team, churches,
Kim Carpenter
corporations and non-profit organizations touring with
the likes of Sarah Palin and Candace Cameron.
Kim and Krickitt have a son, Danny, and daughter,
Leeann, and are both very involved in numerous
organizations within the community. Kim coaches a local
youth baseball team and serves as the president and
general chairman of the Connie Mack World Series as well.
Two diplomas
in two weeks.
That is what San
Alixis Russell
Juan College
student and Piedra Vista High School senior Alixis Russell
will be receiving this May.
Alixis will receive her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal
Arts from San Juan College two weeks prior to receiving her
high school diploma from Piedra Vista High School.
This is all thanks to the Dual Credit and Early
Admission program at San Juan College. These programs
are designed specifically for high school students to take
college level courses while still in high school.
The Early Admission program is similar to the Dual
Credit program in its requirements; however, with Early
Admission, students can take any course offered at San
Juan College except Applied Music courses and Physical
Education courses, which have an age requirement.
2
Dual Credit program allows high
school students to earn college credit
san juan college communicator I May/June <strong>2013</strong> I www.sanjuancollege.edu
Early Admission students are also responsible for paying
all tuition, fees and books where Dual Credit costs are
waived or taken care of by the high school.
“This is a great opportunity for high school students
to engage themselves in the college environment,” says
Steve Wamel, San Juan College Dual Credit coordinator.
“Alixis is a success story, proving that high school
students can graduate with a degree from SJC, while
graduating with their high school diploma.”
Alixis credits much of her success in the program to
her mother and San Juan College.
“My mom was the one who encouraged me to sign
up for the Dual Credit program the summer prior to my
junior year of high school,” she recalls. “San Juan College
gave me the ability to explore my interests, helping me to
realize that I want to continue my education in Psychology
and eventually move on to law school.”
Skylar Masten, coordinator of Enrollment Services at
San Juan College, was instrumental in keeping Alixis on
track toward the goal of receiving her associate degree.
“Her drive and determination to finish her associate
degree while completing high school is rare,” says
Masten. “I was fortunate that I was able to work with
her and help her through the process. She took full
advantage of the opportunities that San Juan College
offers all area high school students through the Dual
Credit and Early Admission programs.”
Beginning this fall, Alixis will attend Grand Canyon
University in Phoenix, Arizona. Her credits from San Juan
College will transfer to Grand Canyon University where
she will begin as a junior working toward her Bachelor’s
degree in Psychology.
For information on the San Juan College Early
Admission, call Skylar Masten at 505-566-3532 and for
information on the SJC Dual Credit program, call Steve
Wamel at 505-566-3216
By Carrie Thompson