Avondale, Arizona – October 14, 2011 – The SouthWest Skill Center (SWSC) at Estrella Mountain Community College will celebrate the accomplishments of 117 students at their Completion Ceremony on Friday, October 21, 2011 at the Estrella Mountain Community College’s Ceremonial Plaza, located at Thomas and Dysart roads in Avondale. The ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m.
The ceremony will honor and recognize students completing programs in Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Practical Nursing, Nursing Assistant and Distribution Logistics. The center also offers programs in Spanish Medical Interpreter and Medical Billing and Coding.
Two students have been selected to speak at this fall’s completion ceremony. Brigette Mendoza will represent the thirty students successfully completing the Professional Nursing (PN) program, and Victor Urista is one of six students completing the Distribution Logistics Technician program.
“The completion ceremony is important to our students, but it’s also important to our staff and faculty,” says center director Tom Cotner. “Truly, our success is measured by their success. We know that we have prepared them well and gave them marketable skills that will promote them through life.”
Since 1999, the SouthWest Skill Center has offered short-term job training and career development in the fields of allied health, and recently added distribution logistics. For its allied health careers, the center is known for its active learning in a highly technological environment, such as the simulation lab which creates a practicum patient experience for students.
Nursing student Bridgette Mendoza chose the SWSC for its quality reputation of teaching, facilities and resources. “It was very technology driven. I liked how we had our own laptops for class, plus the skills lab was very high tech and even included a ‘sim’ patient.”
Beyond the technology, nursing is about the patient’s well-being. “I’ve always wanted to become a nurse ever since I was a little girl,” says Mendoza. “It’s such a rewarding feeling of being part of a team to care for patients and get them back to health. I want to get my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and become an ER or ICU nurse.”
SWSC students completing the PN program have an impressive 90 percent first-time pass rate on the exam leading to LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) designation. For students continuing into the EMCC Registered Nurse transfer program, there is an 84 percent pass rate for the exam leading to their RN license.
Victor Urista chose SWSC for its unique Distribution Logistics program. “It offered a certificate program that could prove to my employer that I’m serious about learning job skills and seeking a career. I liked that fact that this program provided an active and physical alternative to a desk job,” says Urista. The certificate program is 160 hours and meets five days a week from 8 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. “Making the time for learning and career development isn’t always easy, but I knew it would help me a lot, especially in today’s competitive job market. It’s been great experience.”