Junior Colleges In State Of Arizona

Coconino Community College will soon begin searching for a new leader. Dr. Thomas Jordan has announced his retirement plans after more than 7 years as the leader of Coconino Community College and greater than 38 total years being involved in the education field. Dr. Jordan made the retirement announcement at a ceremony honoring the winners of the Coconino Community College "Name the Mascot" Contest. The retirement will be effective April 1, 2007.

The winning entry in the contest was made by two Coconino Community College students who suggested the nickname Comets for the Flagstaff, Arizona junior college. Considering the clear Arizona night time skies and the fact that Pluto was actually discovered at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, the name Comets seemed especially appropriate for one of Arizona's finest junior colleges.

Dr. Jordan made the announcement at the Lone Tree Campus in December saying it was a difficult decision and that he enjoyed leading the Arizona junior college but ultimately he decided it was time for he and his wife to focus on family and other pursuits such as travel.

Dr. Jordan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with so many professionals committed the mission of Arizona junior colleges and a supportive board that changed the lives of so many students for the better over the course of his tenure and will continue to do so after his retirement.

Over the past several years, Coconino Community College ahs seen tremendous growth in student enrollments, degree programs offered, and facilities at the main campus in Flagstaff as well as the other Arizona junior college campuses in Williams and Page. Arizona junior colleges now have an infrastructure in place that facilitates reaching students in some of the more remote locations in Arizona through the use of television and the Internet.

The Arizona junior college in Flagstaff has a more diverse offering than ever before of technical training programs designed to prepare and qualify students for good jobs and career opportunities throughout not only Coconino County but throughout the state of Arizona.

Dr. Jordan shared that his father had provided his first job opportunity over 40 years ago as a carpenter building a house. He learned the value of teamwork, respect, and the thrill of working together to achieve a common goal. Dr. Jordan then when on to explain that he had never stopped building. Instead of home construction though, Dr. Jordon opted for building opportunities. The educational opportunities provided by Arizona junior colleges empower individuals to achieve their dreams.

Dr. Jordan leaves this Arizona junior college with a long list of accomplishments and a new mascot. The selection committee explained the selection by saying that Coconino Community College started small but burns like a shooting star and is in line with northern Arizona's famous clear night skies that attract constellation seekers from around the world.