PVCC History

Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is one of 10 colleges and centers which comprise the Maricopa Community College District in Phoenix, Arizona. The district was established in 1962, with a single college and has since grown to serve over 200,000 students in credit and non-credit programs making this district the largest provider of post secondary education in the state of Arizona. Today, the district colleges and centers offer comprehensive educational programs in professional, occupational, special interest, and continuing education curricula to serve the needs of the rapidly growing county area. PVCC, the ninth college established in the district, is located in the north suburban area of Phoenix, Arizona. The college's primary service area encompasses northeast Phoenix, northern Scottsdale, the town of Paradise Valley, Carefree and Cave Creek, as well as unincorporated areas of Maricopa County.

The need for a college at the current Paradise Valley Community College site was established in November 1982, when representatives of the Greater Paradise Valley Community Council presented a report to the Maricopa Community College District Governing Board calling for the creation of a community college in the northeast valley to serve the needs of more than 180,000 residents in the area.

An appointed task force studied the request and verified that the "Criteria for Additional Colleges" established by the Arizona State Community College Board had been met. In September 1984, Maricopa County passed a $75 million bond issue with approximately $19 million designated for the proposed northeast college, then called the Northeast Valley Education Center (NVEC). In January 1985, NVEC opened day and evening classes in temporary facilities.

Dr. John A. Cordova, then Dean of Instruction at Phoenix College (a sister college within the district), was named provost of the Northeast Valley Education Center in January 1985, to be effective March 1985. Acting on the request from a number of Paradise Valley community organizations and individuals in November 1986, the District Governing Board officially changed the name of the Northeast Valley Education Center to Paradise Valley Community College Center preparatory to moving on site in March 1987.

Construction of the college was completed during the summer of 1987. The college moved into its permanent site at 32nd Street and Union Hills Drive and opened its doors to 4,000 students in August 1987.

Prior to 1990, PVCC was accredited with its parent institution, Scottsdale Community College, in Scottsdale, Arizona, and operated as an extension of that institution. Following a comprehensive self-study and evaluation in 1989-1990, PVCC was granted independent accreditation with the next comprehensive evaluation scheduled for 1995. At this next evaluation the North Central Association Team gave PVCC its maximum accreditation recommendation of 10 years.

In fall 1991, PVCC's enrollment topped 6,000. In fall 1992, Dr. John Cordova and Dr. Raul Cardenas swapped positions. Dr. Cardenas became the new president of Paradise Valley Community College and Dr. Cordova the new president of South Mountain Community College .

The U.S. Department of Education awarded PVCC a grant for $150,000 to develop a regional international studies center for business and international education which began in the fall 1994. At the same time, PVCC received $28.1 million from a Maricopa County bond issue. The funds were used for the construction of an expanded Learning Resource Complex, student services, faculty offices, and classroom buildings.

In April 1999, PVCC opened its new and remodeled facilities including: M Building with faculty offices, theater and art studio; Microcomputer Commons; Learning Support Center; and the award-winning remodeled Student Services Center. In June 1999, Dr. Gina Kranitz was appointed Interim President of PVCC while Raul Cardenas took over the duties of Chancellor of the Maricopa Community College District for one year.

As a result of the June 2000 property tax increase along with a small tuition increase, PVCC received $1.65 million to fund the new performing arts center, and to pay for additional faculty and new class offerings. Fall 2000 enrollment was at 7,170 students.

In May 2001, Dr. Gina Kranitz was appointed PVCC President taking on the challenges of the construction of the PVCC Performing Arts Center, the coordination of the PVCC reorganization plans and preparation for the next North Central Association accreditation review in 2005.

On Oct. 2, 2003, Gina Kranitz, PVCC President, passed away following a long illness. November 25th, Paul Dale, Dean of Learning Support Services was appointed PVCC Interim President until June 30, 2004.

PVCC North campus opens in spring 2004, offering 14 non-credit classes to the communities in the Carefree/Cave Creek area. Judi Anderson is named as the “point person” for facilitating activities and strategic planning.

September 1, 2004, Dr. Mary Kathryn Kickels began her tenure as President of PVCC.

The PVCC Soccer field is dedicated to Cindy Shoenhair on October 13, 2004. Cindy was a PVCC Athletic Director who passed away in 2001. She received Employee of the Year and Innovator of the Year awards.

On October 19, 2004, the PVCC Student Center is dedicated and renamed the Gina Kranitz Student Center. Dr. Kranitz had a 34-year career with MCCCD and was appointed president of PVCC in 2001.

In March 2005, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools awarded PVCC their 10-year accreditation following PVCC's Self Study Report.

This fall, the Student Life Center launches the college's first blog (web journal) and podcast (downloadable radio for Ipods, MP3 players or PDAs). These services will keep the PVCC students better informed.

The PVCC Center for the Performing Arts (PAC) opens on October 13, 2005 with World Aflame, a play by PVCC Theater department chair, Alan Tongret. Opening season will also feature art exhibits in the lobby, a musical, visiting artists, dance performances and poetry readings.

In 2006, Paradise Valley Community College adds a number of new programs to its curriculum. PVCC in partnership with Scottsdale Community College and Scottsdale Healthcare has a grant to add 80 students to our 18-month, fast-track nursing program. PVCC and the Paradise Valley Unified School District collaborate for a “First College” initiative. The program allows college-bound high school juniors and seniors to jump-start their education goals by taking general education courses at PVCC concurrently with their high school enrollment. Maricopa Community College District signed an agreement with Indiana University enabling PVCC students to earn a Bachelor's degree from IU without leaving Arizona. The 90/30 or 3+1 program enables students to earn an Associate degree at the community college, and then get a Bachelor's degree from IU using the Internet.

A $55.8 million bond in 2004 has made possible multiple construction projects at PVCC. The $736,000 modular building under construction in front of the Fitness Center will make room for the fire science and nursing programs, and will be completed in summer 2007. A $2 million road and parking lot will allow vehicles to circle the campus. An $11.7 million life science building and $15.2 million general education building are planned for a December 2007 ground-breaking.

September 2006, Wi-Fi wireless Internet is available on the PVCC Campus. Anyone with the Wi-Fi device on their laptop computer and a valid Campus ID can connect to the Internet within the proximity of an access point or “hotspot”.

October 2006, President Mary Kay Kickels schedules her first “Coffee Conversations with the President.” These are informal conversations with PVCC faculty and staff at various locations on campus.

PVCC has a ribbon cutting ceremony and Open House for the new L Modular Building on January 12, 2007. The building will provide classrooms for the Allied Health programs (fire science, paramedic, and nursing classes).

In July 2007, PVCC finalizes the purchase of the George L. Campbell County Library, now called Q building. The remodeling should be completed in late 2009. Governing Board approved the construction of a PVCC baseball field and connecting walkways to Q Building (the former County Library. The PVCC Pumas intercollegiate baseball team will begin play in spring 2009 competing within the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

MCCCD Facilities, Planning and Development (FP&D) authorized PVCC to begin the design phase for its new Life Sciences Building project. The project architect is Marlene Imirzian & Associates.

Beginning Fall 2008, PVCC Learning Connections is working with Paradise Valley Unified School District to establish an Early College Program. “College-ready” high school juniors will be able to take their high school courses in the morning and then attend PVCC in the afternoon. When they graduate from high school, they will have their high school diploma and a 35 hour Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) certificate. These students will automatically be admitted to any of our state universities with 35 transfer credits.

PVCC Archivist  Dixie Klatt dixie.klatt@pvmail.maricopa.edu 602-787-7200