Cochise Newsroom

April is Community College Month, a time to recognize the critical role community colleges play in shaping lives, strengthening local economies, and advancing opportunities. This year’s message, “The Smartest First Step. The Strongest Next Step,” is more than a slogan. It reflects the critical position community colleges hold in today’s educational and workforce landscape. It is also a moment to reaffirm our responsibility to students and to the communities we serve.

 

Across the country, community colleges serve more than 50 million students through approximately 1,100 institutions. They are not only the most accessible and affordable entry point into higher education, but also one of the most responsive. Whether students are beginning their college journey, returning to gain new skills, or advancing into bachelor’s degree programs, community colleges are designed to meet students where they are and help move them forward. With tuition averaging about one-third the cost of public universities, they remain one of the most practical and impactful investments a student can make.

 

Community colleges are also central to the future of our workforce and our communities. We sit at the intersection of education and industry, aligning programs with real workforce needs, supporting economic development, and creating pathways to careers that sustain families and strengthen regions. In many communities, including Cochise County, the community college is not just a partner in economic development and growth; it can also serve as a driver of it.

 

At Cochise College, access and affordability continue to guide our decisions. In a time when many institutions are facing financial pressures, the College and our Governing Board deliberately chose not to increase tuition this academic year. That decision includes our bachelor’s degree programs, such as the RN to BSN and Leadership, Management, and Operations programs. We believe students should be able to take both their first and next steps without additional financial barriers.

 

What makes this work possible is our people. Every day, our faculty and staff go beyond their roles to support students. They mentor, they connect, and they create opportunities that change lives.

 

Recently, two of our colleagues were recognized nationally by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development for their excellence. Dr. Mary King Power, an English instructor who has served the College since 2006, continues to make a meaningful impact both in and out of the classroom, including her work with Phi Theta Kappa and student engagement activities. Tonya Randolph, an Academic and Career Advisor with 16 years at the College, plays a critical role in connecting students, both on campus and in our high schools, to programs in nursing, allied health, and career and technical education.

 

That same commitment to hands-on learning is evident across our programs. In Fire Science, for example, students recently participated in a wildland field day led by Matthew King, providing real-world experience for our first Douglas cohort of Firefighter II students in partnership with Liberty-Traditional-Saddleback Charter School.

 

These examples reflect a broader truth. Community colleges are student-centered, community-anchored, and future-focused institutions. From academic transfer and workforce training to student life and community engagement, our impact extends far beyond any single program or metric. Our work is grounded in our mission to provide inclusive and accessible educational opportunities that support social responsibility, community engagement, meaningful careers, and lifelong learning.

 

Community College Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate that impact. Supporting community colleges means investing in students, strengthening the workforce, and building stronger communities. If it has been a while since you have taken a closer look at your local community college, this is a good time to do so.

 

At Cochise College, we will continue to expand access to affordable bachelor’s degrees, explore the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and remain focused on student success and community impact.

 

As we move through a busy and exciting spring, thank you for your continued support and partnership.

 

James D. Perey, Ed.D. is president of Cochise College.