Two Pima Graduates Celebrate at Graduation while confetti flalls

Pima Stories

Pima Community College (PCC) is committed to transforming lives through affordable education. Our mission is to empower every learner, every day, for every goal. Read stories of students, past and present, about the impact PCC is having on their lives, careers and communities.

Why Pima?

From seasoned professionals to students embarking on ambitious careers. Hear from current and former students about why Pima Community College was the best choice for them in education.

Attention to Detail

Marian shares her reason why students should choose Pima

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Hands-on Learning

Luke shares his reason why students should choose Pima

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Tools for Success

Pearl shares her reason why students should choose Pima Community College.

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Explore a World of Possibilities

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More Pima Stories

2025 Commencement Speaker

Pima's student commencement speaker shares her motivations to go back to school and career goals she's hoping to achieve.

Congratulations Grads!

Pima's Class of 2025 is full of inspiring stories, brave ideas and brand new horizons. Read stories of three inspiring students graduating this spring and celebrate with us at the commencement ceremony.

Find a New Career

Anisah wasn't sure what she wanted to study or pursue as a career. One geology class at PCC changed all of that!

Take the Plunge

For Trynia, enrolling at Pima after she already had a bachelor’s degree was not a step down but a door that led to new opportunites and a fulfilling career.

Oscar Casillas in the Pima culinary arts kitchen.

Making a Change

For Oscar Casillas, the culinary arts program at Pima was the lifeline he needed. From learning vlauable skills to gaining mentors, it has changed his life is profound ways. Read his story

Ariane Davaul works in the Automated Industrial Tech lab at PCC.

Build a Legacy

When Ariane Davaul began studying Automated Industrial Technology (AIT) at Pima Community College in January 2020, she didn’t have a clear career goal. What began as an exploratory path turned into a life-changing journey. Read her story

Read her story

Zora Street during rehearsals of Dracula

Share Your Vision

Zora Street, a current student, serves as Assistant Director in Pima Arts electrifying production of Dracula that explores the chilling battle between good and evil in the heart of a secluded asylum, where a powerful and ancient vampire terrorizes the living.

Ehren Keltz poses for the camera outdoors.

Find Your Calling

Ehren Keltz wasn't sure about his life path until he read a riveting article in the National Geographic. Once he knew he could turn his interest in archaeology into a career, there was no stopping him.

Read his story

Achieve Your Potential

Nick Davis, an honors students, turned his life around with the help of his mentors in Pima's honors programs and the rehab center where he now helps others do the same.

Read his story

Stacie Williams poses in her graduation cap and gown.

Reinvent Yourself

For Stacie Williams, a former nursing assistant, the pandemic provided an opportunity to reassess her professional goals and take a chance on college. Hear her talk about how it's paying off

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Patricia Owen poses in her cap and gown.

Age is Just a Number

From never having finished her dream to get a college degree to walking at PCC's graduation next week, Tricia has proven that age is just a number.

Read her stroy

Jennifer Phan at a desk while working on a campaign while her award trophy is sitting on the desk.

Find a New Direction

From never drawing with a pencil to winning the Addy Award, Jennifer Phan has come a long way with the help of Pima. Read her story

Hannah Puckett in the kitchen at Pima's Desert Vista Campus.

Recipe for Success

Hannah Puckett took a while to figure out what she wanted to pursue, and now that she's found her footing in the culianry arts program her mind is set on making the world a little more delicious.

Learn more

Lizz Denneau works in her studio smiling at the camera

Find Your Niche

Pima grad and Tucson based artist, Lizz Denneau, honed her creative skills at Pima. Read her story

Fernando Romera works on an engine at Pima's Automotive Technology center.

Build Your Future

For Fernando Romero, returning to college seemed intimidating until he found his way to Pima's Automotive Technology program. Read his story.

Gabi Amparano poses for the camera at Pima's soccer field.

A New Passion

Jocely Valles finds cybersecurity both creative and intellectually stimulating. As a parent student the flexibility offered at Pima has helped her keep up with her education. Watch her Pima story

Learn more!

Matt Mendez with his crew in an airplane hangar

Explore Your Options

Tucson based author, Matt Mendez, enrolled at Pima to simply explore his options. Instead he found his voice as a writer.

Read his story

A toddler paints on a canvas in the DV Child Care center

Moving Forward

The childcare program at Pima's Desert Vista campus and other off-site partners is ensuring parent-students have the opportunity to return to school without compromising on the care and education of their children.

Regina Santaniello teaching welding students.

Forge Ahead

Regina Santaniello has come full circle - from a student at Pima to a faculty - and that she says was all possible because of the support provided at Pima. Read her story.

Shine Bright

Playing since the age of four, Gabi Amparano, is an All-Academic Athlete who is acing her classes while playing a crucial role on field. Learn more about why she chose Pima.

Learn more!

Samantha Overton teaches a student at Pima's West Campus.

Strive for Success

Accounting faculty, Samantha Overton, is instilling self-belief and courage to overcome academic hurdles in her students. She overcame her fear of numbers when the same help was extended to her as a Pima student. Read her story.

Yara Villalobos speaks about her experience at Pima.

TRiO Programs at PCC

Yara Villalobos felt lost until she found TRiO which helped her find the right support and eventually her passion for helping others.

Learn more

Susan Ho stands next to a shelf of grocery items at the ARC food pantry.

Lead the Way

Susan Ho, Pima social services graduate began the ARC as a student project and has returned to manage it full time. Read her inspiring story.

Susan's Story

Genesis Benedith poses for the camera at Pima's Downtown Campus.

Find Your Niche

2022 Pima grad, Genesis Benedith is on her way to become a software engineer and STEM role model.

Nicolas Fimbres sits smiling at Pima West Campus

Calculating His Future

Nicolas Fimbres is graduating this May with plans to pursue a doctorate and become a college math professor.

Namrata Patel poses smiling in a field at sunset

Trailblazing a New Path

Namrata Patel graduated with 4.0 GPA in December 2022 with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Hospitality Leadership. A seasoned professional she credits Pima for opening new doors in her career.

Maleah Manning stands smiling on a staircase at Pima's West Campus

Anything is Possible

Maleah Manning completed high school a year early, all while earning her associate's degree in liberal arts, setting herself up for success and proving that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

Gabriela Fragozo stands smiling outside of the Student Service Center at Pima's West Campus

Putting Kindness First

Gabriela Fragozo, Pima's 2023 Commencement Speaker, came to Pima at a tumultuous time in her family's life. Through the guidance and support of faculty and co-workers, she's succeeded academically and chosen to prioritize kindness. Read her story.

Alexis Rose Young stands smiling in front of the Student Service Center at Pima's West Campus

A New Trajectory

Covid changed Alexis Rose Young’s career plans, putting her on a path that she hopes leads to Hollywood.

Fortune Dominic stands smiling at Pima west campus

Thrive in Diversity

Nursing student, Fortune Dominic, found a new career pathway and friends at Pima. Read her story.

Kira Okuma Poses smiling in Pima's Northwest Campus Student Life Center

Achieve Your Goals

A future CPA, Kira Okuma is one of seven Pima students honored as members of Phi Theta Kappa’s 2023 All-Arizona Academic Team. Read her story.

Marian Jimenez poses in front of a mural at Pima's Desert Vista Campus

Make a Difference

A researcher and future biomedical engineer, Mairan Jimenez could not have conceived of the possibilities college would offer. Read her story.

Gianbari Deebom and P.J. Peavy pose for a photo on a Pima Campus

Be Yourself

Gianbari Deebom and P.J. Peavy are honing their talents and making a space for themselves in the theater arts. Read about their experience at Pima.

Caleb Bailey stands smiling in front of Pima's West Campus

Take the Lead

Caleb Bailey enrolled at Pima unsure of what he wanted to do. Not only has he found a new major that he really enjoys, he founded the Black Studeny Union. Read his story.

Barbea Williams and her daughter Bea pose for a photo in their dance studio

Pay It Forward

Barbea Williams, artistic director of the Barbea Williams Performing Company, Tucson studied at Pima. She shares how collaborating with the college has helped enhance BWPC's annual summer camp and more.

Crystal Robles stands smiling in the courtyard of West Campus

Think Big

For Crystal Robles, 2012 CRC program graduate, making a difference in people's lives has always been a driving force. With the training she gained at Pima, she is putting her skills to good use. Read her story.

Elizabeth Soto Stands smiling in the courtyard of Downtown Campus

Find your voice

A nurse in Mexico, Elizabeth Soto graduated from Pima's ESL course in May 2022 and is on her way to resuming her nursing career.

Marc Vaughn stands arms crossed with a grin in the Makerspace at East Campus

Be Creative

Marc Vaughn, 2021 Computer Science graduate, found creativity in tech at the East Campus Makerspace. Now pursuing a bachelor's in CS at the U of A, read his story.

Aurora Sardina sits smiling in the Cyber Warfare Club room

Chart a New Path

Aurora Sardina, an Iraq vet is retraining in cybersecurity with help from Pima. She graduated with an AAS in Cybersecurity in May 2022 and will pursue a bachelor's degree in Cyber Operations at the University of Arizona.

Luke Hunt sits in a video lab at West Campus smiling.

Pursue Your Dreams

Luke Hunt is a 2022 Digital Film Arts & Animation graduate. While still in the film program Luke directed a short called Sheep which won an award at MINT 2021, Montana International Film Festival.

Suzanne Roy stands propped up smiling against a small plane

Aim High

From singing the high notes to helping planes take flight, Suzanne Roy is on the cusp of a promising career. Read her story

Lizbeth Mora stand facing the camera with arms crossed and smiling.

Find Your Calling

Lizbeth Mora took time to reevaluate her goals after first enrolling at the University of Arizona. Now employed at Banner Health, she is glad she made the switch and finished college debt-free. Read her story

Tauty Sanchez wearing a yellow shirt facing the camera standing inside the IT Center of Excellence at Pima.

Reinvent Yourself

Tauty Sanchez is making a childhood fascination with tech come to life at Pima's Center of Excellence for Information Technology/Cyber Security. She will graduate with an Associate of Science degree with a specialization in cyber security. A mid-career professional, she chose to put her faith in Pima. Read her story.

Ana Silva Pereira poses smiling in a Northwest Campus Lab

Build Your Community

Ana Silva Pereira, from São Luis, Brazil feels home at Tucson thanks to the staff, instructors and faculty at Pima. She will graduate soon with an Associates of Science.

Jorge Muñoz stands in the lobby of the Health Science Center at NAU

Pushing Boundaries

Jorge Muñoz, Ph.D. candidate in Applied Physics at the Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff got his start in STEM at Pima. As an underrepresented minority in the sciences, he is an enthusiastic promoter of diversity and a mentor for numerous students.

Angie Buenrostro sits smiling in the veterans center at Northwest Campus

Aiming High

Air Force Tech Sgt. Angie Buenrostro is an example of how Pima Community College makes it possible for a busy person serving their country to also pursue a college education.

Realize your Potential

For Peter Keith, starting over at 40 after a 15 year prison sentence, the opportunity to pursue higher education has been cathartic. With the help of PimaOnline and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, he’s moving forward with renewed confidence and self esteem.

Lupita Vazquez stands smiling outside of Literacy Connects

Broaden Your Horizons

Lupita’s journey at Literacy Connects and her career in Finance and Administration began with Pima’s Federal Work Study program. Find out more about how you can find financial aid at Pima.

Create Your Future

Samantha Barrera, 2021 grad, is headed to UA law school. She found her voice and confidence at Pima. Read her story.

Expand What's Possible

2022 grad, Samuel Phillips, is heading to UA Honors College with help from Pima’s STEM courses. Read his story

Find Your Purpose

Pearl Celix hopes to be a CFO. Learn how Pima’s Federal Work Study program helped chart her career path. Read her story.

Alice stands facing the camera in Pima's Automotive Technology Center

Make Someday Today

See how Automotive Tech, Automated Industrial Tech, and IT/Cybersecurity programs at Pima help Ariane, Alice, and Tauty make better career changes.

Liz Graybill sits smiling in front of a brick building

The Sky’s the Limit

Former Pima student, Liz Graybill embarks on a career in aeronautical engineering. Read about her journey.

Expand What's Possible

2022 Commencement speaker, Webster Rose, spoke of achieving goals as a Pima Online student. Read more.

Francy Luna Diaz stands at the podium to give her speech

Commencement Speech Highlights

As we prep for 2022's Spring Graduation, check out highlights from 2016 speaker Francy Luna Diaz

A woman looks through medication while comparing to a tabletin a hospital medication room

Create Your Future

Former Military Medic and Nurse, Annette Perkins pursues new opportunity in Pima's HIT Program. Read her story.

My STEM Story

Senior director at Raytheon, Misha Dawson, shares lessons for success from a 27-year-career. Hear her story.

Erica Martin sits smiling in the Downtown Campus Lobby

Invent New Possibilities

Educating black students about careers in STEM - conversation with Erica Martin, Academic Success Counselor, Pima Downtown Campus

Treya Allen stands smiling in front of a Black History Month Event at Downtown Campus

Treya Allen Q and A

Educator and activist, Dr. Treya Allen speaks about the importance of celebrating Black History month.

Grow Your Career

UA researcher, Briana Pomales, got her start at Pima. Read her story!

A woman and a man stand smiling in a culinary kitchen wearing culinary uniforms

Expand What's Possible

Pima’s Culinary Arts program connects students with high-paying jobs and dynamic career paths. Learn more.

Read Their Story

More News and Announcements

News Contacts

General Information about the College and Upcoming Events

PCC Information Center

(520) 206-4500

Email: infocenter@pima.edu

News Releases or Media Contacts

Public Information

(520) 206-4850

Email: publicinfo@pima.edu

Media Inquiries

PCC Information Center

(520) 206-4788

Email: ehowell1@pima.edu

Public Records Request

Send requests for public records via email to RecordRequest@pima.edu