A year or so ago, the Cochise College Governing Board nominated Dan Guilmette, computer science and information systems instructor, for the faculty member award provided annually by the Association of Community College Trustees. Guilmette’s example of community leadership in addition to full-time teaching makes him stand out.

Earlier this month, both the Air Force Association (AFA) and the office of Congresswoman Martha McSally agreed, awarding him an AFA Medal of Merit and Special Congressional Recognition.

Dan Guilmette, right, is congratulated by Cochise Chapter CyberPatriot Coordinator and Air Force Association Southwest Region President Ross Lampert.

Specifically, Guilmette was honored for his work with the CyberPatriot Program, the national youth cyber education program created by the Air Force Association to inspire high school students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to the nation’s future. Students compete in exercises designed to teach them to remediate technological vulnerabilities, with the most successful advancing to further rounds of competition and the best appearing at the national finals in Washington, D.C.

Students compete in teams led by a coach and mentors or technical advisors. That’s how Guilmette is involved. A tireless coach since 2012, he has been part of the reason that our region has 18 of the 41 registered CyberPatriot teams in Arizona. In 2013, Guilmette was named the Sierra Vista Unified School District Volunteer of the Year for exceeding the expectations of volunteerism while coaching the district’s CyberPatriot teams. That year, Buena High School’s Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) CyberPatriot team was the top Army team in the nation, the Buena Open Division Team was top in the state of Arizona, and three of the county’s middle school teams made it to the national semifinals.

Guilmette also advises the Cochise College chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), one of the most active clubs on campus and in the community. AFCEA is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. The chapter organizes the annual Computer Challenge, an event that attracts about 250 middle and high school students from across Cochise County to compete in computer- and business-related events, such as word processing, spreadsheets, computer theory exams, digital graphics, web design, interviewing, extemporaneous speaking and cybersecurity.

Guilmette’s classroom successes are equally noteworthy. He’s written curriculum for cybersecurity and game design training programs, earned Security Plus Certification to provide higher quality instruction for students aiming for information technology careers within the U.S. Department of Defense, and organized informal planning sessions with part-time faculty to help prepare teaching materials and configure equipment to be used in computer information systems and security classes, hosted summer camps, and helped secure funding and bandwidth to aid in educating students.

Dan Guilmette has been an exceptional faculty member for Cochise College since he was hired full time in 2003. Leadership qualities instilled during 28 years in the U.S. Army prepared him to be a model instructor, a resounding proponent for student success, and a competitive advantage of the college.

Congratulations, Dan!

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

Cochise College faces an important milestone later this month when it hosts a comprehensive evaluation visit for accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). As we have been promoting for the last several months, accreditation is necessary to enable students to transfer earned credentials to other institutions, share them with employers, and obtain federal financial aid.

In the comprehensive evaluation, peer reviewers determine whether the institution continues to meet the Criteria for Accreditation by analyzing the institution’s Assurance Filing. The assurance document demonstrates evidence in five key areas: Mission; Integrity/Ethical and Responsible Conduct; Teaching and Learning/Quality, Resources and Support; Teaching and Learning/Evaluation and Improvement; and Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness. Each key area consists of core components that provide the college an opportunity to link to documents as evidence that it is meeting important standards.

The preliminary analysis is followed by a campus visit. The purposes of the visit are to validate claims made in the Assurance Filing and to triangulate those materials with what the team finds during planned activities while on site.

Dr. Phyllis Abt, associate vice president emeritus at Front Range Community College, Colo., chairs the peer review committee that will visit Cochise. Dr. Elizabeth Stich, vice president of academics and student services at West Shore Community College, Mich., and Robin Bryant, Arts and Sciences Division chair at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, will join her Oct. 26-27 to confer with key college constituents. Visits with faculty, students, classified and administrative employees, senior administration, Governing Board and community members are planned.

Finally, the team will prepare a report identifying which core components of accreditation are met, which are met with concerns, and which are not met. The college will have an opportunity to respond, and follow-up action, if any, depend upon these findings.

HLC selected Cochise and other institutions to participate in its new Open Pathway Reaffirmation of Accreditation process based on accreditation history and overall stability. The Open Pathway process seeks to enhance institutional value and rigor and reduce the reporting burden on institutions. It also requires institutions to identify and carry out a quality initiative during the second half of the 10-year accreditation cycle. Cochise was pleased to be selected.

Cochise anticipates two assurance reviews during the next 10 years, with the first taking place via HLC’s online assurance system, and the second being a comprehensive evaluation that includes another visit and also looks at a Quality Initiative completed between years 5 and 9 of the cycle.

Accreditation is a big deal. The process has involved employees at all levels and serving in all corners of the institution. It’s a daunting project, but also one the college embraces as an opportunity to celebrate success and seek improvement. Though the HLC accreditation visit team schedule is full, please help us welcome Dr. Abt, Dr. Stich and Ms. Bryant should you be introduced to them in the community.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

As Cochise College winds down from an accreditation visit, I’m a bit short on column topics. So in recognition of the season, I’ve crafted something you’ve never seen – a list of things for which I am thankful. While Cochise County is a scenic wonder on its own, you’ll notice my list focuses on something else – people.

I am most grateful for Cochise College students. Not only are they the reason we’re here. They also bring energy and motivation, curiosity and drive, new ideas and purpose. They have big plans and are full of hope. They bring meaning to our work and are set to change not just our communities, but our state and our world. Thank you to the students who continually breathe new life into the institution.

Close on their heels is the wonderful collection of faculty and staff that serve students. Together, they help shape dreams and share expertise to make those dreams come true. They motivate and inspire. They learn new things in order to stay on top of their game. They strive for institutional efficiency. Thank you, faculty and staff, for maintaining an encouraging, accessible, collegial culture that helps make Cochise a top employer in the region.

Some of our very best fan mail comes from alumni, whose heartwarming and often triumphant stories of lives changed because of their Cochise College experiences never fail to reinforce the college’s mission and remind us of the reason we are all here. Success, however a student defines it, reflects well on the college. Thanks to all of the alumni who share their stories each year.

Donors – those who give of their time, expertise, and resources – include members of the Cochise College Governing Board and Cochise College Foundation Board. The Governing Board, currently served by David DiPeso, Jane Strain, Dennis Nelson, Danny Ortega and Tim Quinn, has a reputation for dedication, commitment, and leadership. This board spends significant time and energy ensuring the college remains student focused and community based. Their leadership is admired by other boards around the state and nation and is one reason the college has been blessed with state and national recognitions. They allow and encourage the college to be innovative, creative, and take risks that will enhance the quality of life for those we serve well into the future. The foundation board provides leadership and wisdom as it relates to other donors and the community at large. Recognition of the value of higher education and a commitment to Cochise College’s mission combine to draw like minds together in support of the institution and student success. Thank you to these volunteers as well as all those who have donated time, talent and treasure.

Cochise County’s communities are geographically dispersed and ideologically, ethnically and economically diverse. This presents challenges but also keeps our work interesting. People come here from all over the world, and there’s a new opportunity around every corner. Thank you to the people of our communities who continue to support the college and present it with fresh ideas and perspectives.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

The year 2016 may go down in history as the time Arizona began its climb toward the top of the education rankings. The state is taking steps to improve both standards and funding. The process will take time and may be difficult, but the benefits will be worth it. Public awareness and support is helping it happen.

But this isn’t a column about investing more in education. Rather, it’s about each of us as individuals making the most of the educational opportunities we have – not just to improve our own personal prospects, but for the good of society. It’s the people who are aware of the value of education who are the ones advocating for it, at times overshadowed by louder voices.

Public education itself dates to colonial times. Thomas Jefferson himself saw it as a necessity. “No other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom and happiness,” he wrote from Paris to George Wythe, his law teacher and mentor, in August 1786.

Every resident of this country has the opportunity to earn a high school diploma. If you think that’s not especially valuable, try making a living without one. Second, the opportunity is there to build on that credential, by enrolling in a trade school, community college or university. Yes, it can be hard, but it’s a small price to pay for the economic and social security achieved during your lifetime. Educational attainment is linked with earning potential, life expectancy, overall health and wellness, civic participation (including voting), and even happiness.

Besides the obvious personal benefits, there are the social ones implied by Jefferson. Perhaps education could help us combat or prevent some of the unsettling situations occurring at the state, national and international levels. Education promotes the concept that individuals think rationally and voice opinions in a coherent manner and safe environment, that they have the tools to overcome differences in a civilized manner, that they have the ability to accept differences and make compromises, that dignity follows disagreement. In an educated world, outrageousness and violence are out; thoughtfulness and civil discourse are in. Paraphrasing Jefferson, an educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.  

Education may not be a panacea; there are things beyond our control. The term “wisdom” suggests the application of both knowledge and good sense, formed by education and life experience. We’re not born wise. But without the pursuit of wisdom, often shaped by formal education, it won’t be long before we don’t know what we don’t know. Imagine the social chaos.

For our own good, let’s take the education we receive seriously, honor it by way of reasonable behavior, promote the concept of civility among ourselves, and continue working to improve educational opportunities and the quality of life for future generations.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

Sienna Hope Martinez’s path to a bachelor’s degree is likely to have taken six or more years if not for a scholarship. Her family income wouldn’t allow for studies free of worry about how to pay for the next class or whether taking a break would help her save up for the next step.

Martinez, a 2015 graduate of Douglas High School, received the 2015-2016 President’s Scholarship, funded by a contribution from the late Sierra Vista resident Betty Starysky. Started last year, the program seeks to help graduating high school seniors with a cumulative 3.25 GPA and leadership experience. Recipients earn $2,500 per year and are required to enroll full time and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.

Previously active in high school, Martinez says that without the scholarship, she and her mom would have found “somehow, some way” for her to go to college. Rather than worrying about money, she’s maximizing her time at Cochise by enrolling and excelling in 16 credits per semester. At that pace, she’ll complete her Cochise College studies within two years, pursue her next goal of studying dental hygiene at Northern Arizona University, and enter the professional workforce.

We think that Mrs. Starysky would be proud that her gift, a scholarship endowment she defined in her end-of-life plans, is helping students reach their potential. Planned gifts like hers are increasingly common, and we wish we could thank her. Donors who make gifts during their lifetime reap the emotional benefits of witnessing the impact of those contributions.

For high school graduating seniors and others planning to attend Cochise in the fall, donors have provided dozens of scholarships. The President’s Scholarship will again be available. But they’re not all for academic achievers. Do you have a GPA between 2.0 and 3.0? Get yourself an application. Studying automotive technology or welding? You might qualify. Got an interest in or connection to Germany? There’s something for you.

Now is the time. Apply for scholarships and financial aid by March 31 in order to receive priority consideration for need-based scholarships. The Cochise College Financial Aid Office begins putting together aid packages soon after the priority deadline, helping students define their plans and the college prepare for incoming classes. Wait to apply until July or August and your chances of receiving scholarship funds diminish; you may qualify for federal financial aid but face a delay in receiving it.

Financial Aid Night at Cochise County high schools have already begun. If you’re the parent of a college-bound senior, make sure to attend one, or mark the evening of Thursday, Feb. 18 on your calendar and come to a financial aid “how to” session at the Sierra Vista Campus.

Given the need in Cochise County, the popularity of scholarships with donors, and the college’s desire to increase the number of high school graduating seniors enrolling at Cochise, we are working on a “scholarship guarantee” proposal we hope to share later. It’s an effort aimed not just at recruitment, but also at student success. We think we can help financially, reduce reliance on federal aid, and help students with completion.

Scholarships offer students an opportunity to pursue their dreams and donors an opportunity to make a difference. Everyone can feel good about that.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

It would be easy to lump all community colleges into the same category. Most of the more than 1,200 such colleges offer technical training and provide an affordable foundation for students seeking to transfer to a university. But community colleges are not all the same. Their unique governance model helps distinguish them.

Community colleges are truly American-made institutions. Community colleges reflect the democratic ideal of America as a land of equal opportunity for all people. They are community (i.e. a county or city) based, serving the citizens of their region and acting as a community leader. A locally elected – and connected – governing board is key to the college’s role in their community and naturally lends itself to community responsiveness. The community college system is the only higher education sector led by locally elected officials. It’s practical in meeting the specific needs of local communities, whether they are technological or health-related, as they are here in Cochise County.

Five elected community leaders serve as champions of Cochise College. Dennis Nelson, David DiPeso, Danny Ortega, Tim Quinn, and Jane Strain make up the college Governing Board. They represent five sections of the county, divided by population and diverse in needs and expectations. Though some were appointed to fill seats left vacant mid-term, a full term is six years – no minor commitment on their part.

The board’s role goes beyond attending monthly meetings. There is, of course, a significant level of reading and preparation that goes into those. In addition, they keep abreast of relevant local, state and national issues. They consider best practices and how they could be implemented at Cochise. They represent the college at a myriad of community functions. And they advocate for the college among individual legislators and governing bodies. They are, literally, the liaison with the community, in whom the community has placed their trust as a college “trustee.”

These dedicated trustees participate with peers governing other community colleges in organizational, governance, and training opportunities at the state and national levels. There is an entire organization – the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) – devoted to educating governing boards; ACCT represents more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees overseeing community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. It is a major voice to the presidential administration, U.S. Congress, the Departments of Education and Labor and more.

Dennis Nelson of Naco serves as board chair. A retired tribal judge and active Bisbee volunteer, he has taken particular interest in the needs of Adult Education students. Mr. Nelson represents Precinct 5, which also includes Tombstone, Hereford, Palominas and Naco. His term ends in 2019, and he can be reached at nelsondl@cochise.edu.

David DiPeso of Benson has a long history with the college. He is a 1973 graduate, and his father Charles previously served on the board. Mr. DiPeso also is a local businessman. He represents the geographically dispersed Precinct 1, which includes the northern half of the county. He is the immediate past chair and current secretary of the board. His term expires in 2021, and he can be reached at david.dipeso@cochise.edu.
Danny Ortega, one of the newest board members, represents Precinct 2, stretching from the southeast corner of Cochise County to just north of Apache and west of Elfrida, McNeal and Double Adobe. Ortega is a 1982 alum and local businessman, as well as the outgoing mayor of Douglas. He serves through 2017 and can be reached at ortega520@cochise.edu.

Tim Quinn, a retired U.S. Army Military Intelligence colonel, has previous experience on the Fort Huachuca Accommodation Schools board, where he has served as president. Representing Precinct 4, the most heavily populated portion of Sierra Vista, he also helps provide military perspective on college issues. He was appointed to fill a vacated seat through 2017 and can be reached at timjquinn@cochise.edu.

Jane Strain previously served as chair and secretary of the board. She was first appointed in 1998, elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2006 and 2012. She has served as board liaison to state community college governance organizations. Always interested in board governance issues, she has taken an active role with ACCT. Mrs. Strain’s term expires in 2019. She can be reached at jane@cochise.edu.

Recently, Cochise College received the maximum 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, the gold standard in regional accreditation. As the site team noted, the college is fortunate to have the leadership of such a diverse group of dedicated community members. Cochise College, as a community college, is connected to its communities because of their active participation. I couldn’t agree more!

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

JD Rottweiler, Ph.D.

Cochise College is full of interesting people doing interesting things. Nothing makes me more proud in my role as Cochise College president than seeing their impact on students. So sit back and relax. We’re entering “spring awards and graduation season,” and I don’t want the following news to get lost.

This month, Cochise College became the 138th American Welding Society Accredited Testing Facility (ATF) in the United States and the only one in southern Arizona. The designation is the result of the Welding Department’s completion of a quality assurance manual, set-up of testing laboratory equipment and an inventory system, and an eight-hour site audit. It makes it possible for the college, as a testing center, to test the welds of individuals seeking industry certification, including its own students. Students and completers will have their industry certifications recorded on a national registry searchable by potential employers. The welding program is already strong in Sierra Vista and growing in Douglas; the ATF designation adds credibility and practicality for the profession in our region.

Meanwhile, Cochise College English faculty member Cecilia Lewis took a sabbatical to pursue a doctorate in Mexican-American Studies at the University of Arizona. Lewis researched prominent Mexican-American women in the history of Douglas and created a traveling museum-quality display that acknowledged and celebrated the relevance of female community leaders who had persevered personally, professionally and socially in a sometimes unwelcoming environment. The display generated a groundswell of pride and support among those studied and their families and friends. Lewis intends to complete her dissertation this fall and is considering ways to formalize a Cochise College connection with the University of Arizona Mexican-American Studies program.

Finally, students registered in the grant-funded TRiO Student Support Services program outperformed their Cochise College peers in persistence, graduation and transfer rates in 2014-2015, according to the program’s annual progress report. TRiO is a U.S. Department of Education program that seeks to help low-income, first-generation and disabled students. At Cochise, the 160 students registered in the program participate in intrusive advising, in-depth degree research and career counseling, visits to other institutions, professional tutoring, scholarships and financial literacy workshops, mentoring and community service. The result is a 74 percent persistence rate, as compared to 56 percent collegewide; a 43 percent graduation rate, as compared to 23 percent collegewide; and a 60 percent transfer rate, as compared to 22 percent collegewide. In an industry where completion is everything, student support is a proven method that I’d like to expand.

Faculty and staff enthusiasm drives the college to try new things and seek new opportunities. This is just a snapshot of the efforts that make Cochise College what it is, an institution rooted in the community that is big enough to explore but small enough to care.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

Community colleges across America are celebrating National Community College month. While it’s not clear who declared April 2016 in our honor, I’ll take this opportunity to join the festivities.

Nationally, over 50 million students enroll in 1,100 public, independent and tribal community colleges, according to the American Association of Community Colleges. Community colleges are a great way to start your investment in higher education with average tuition rates a third that of public universities and class sizes where an instructor knows your name.

But there’s more. We tend to be practical from the classroom to the board room. We are situated to meet the specific needs of students and employers in “our” communities. We connect! Although our faculty are subject-area experts, they, and our administrative and support staff, often wear multiple hats and contribute beyond their specific area of assignment. Versatile professionals are a valuable commodity to the college and our community.

A community college is only as good as its people. I’d like to celebrate National Community College month by highlighting three special individuals who will be inducted into the Cochise College Hall of Fame on May 7. These versatile professionals have shaped Cochise College by their years of service and their willingness to take on new things.

Dr. Mary Lee Shelden, a “tough, gutsy” retired member of the English faculty, is currently a resident of Phoenix. She joined the college in 1968 and served as an advocate for students and faculty rights for 35 years. The current rodeo, tutoring, Student Government Association, and Phi Theta Kappa honor society programs owe part of their ongoing presence on campus to Shelden’s involvement and early leadership.

Mark Battaglia, a semi-retired attorney from Benson, has served many years on the board of the Cochise College Foundation. He has worked with many donors on contributions valued in the millions of dollars, been actively involved in the foundation’s investment growth, and was part of the lure for donors contributing the land where the Benson Center is located.

The late Raymond Eugene Levra joined the college in 1965 as one of the first art faculty and served as the “guiding spirit” of the Art Department. His 22-year career inspired a Hall of Fame nomination from a former student, and he remained a fixture on the Douglas Campus after his retirement in 1989. Levra passed away earlier this decade.

These individuals understood the value of a community college. They invested their time, energy, and expertize to make Cochise College what it is today. During National Community College Month, you, too, can show your support. You can contact your legislators to express your appreciation for a community based educational asset. Despite being recognized as an important and valuable part of the education system, Arizona’s support of community colleges is dropping faster than any other sector in education, leaving more of the burden to students and property taxpayers.

Likewise, you can make a contribution by lending your time, expertise, or charitable donation in support of education, equipment, and/or professional development. Gifts to the Cochise College Foundation can help provide budget relief and ultimately impact the community that is served by graduates.

Finally, you can help individuals pursue and complete their studies in a timely manner by establishing a scholarship. Currently, Cochise College students receive in excess of $300,000 annually in scholarships provided by donors to the Cochise College Foundation.

If you thought you knew all there was to know about your local community college, I encourage you to take another look. Community colleges are the workhorses of higher education and a cost-effective community investment and we celebrate their success!

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

JD Rottweiler, Ph.D.

As the world deals with global threats and unpredictable markets and the United States prepares for an important election, the term “creative destruction” or “disruptive innovation” has been regularly on my mind. In Forbes, contributor Adam Hartung recently applied the theory to the social climate that led to Brexit and the current U.S. presidential race.

Creative destruction is an economic term that refers to situations in which innovation renders its predecessors obsolete. What is known and accepted transitions into something else that becomes the new normal.

When considered in a more positive light, it’s a term that also makes me think of the Cochise College Downtown Center (slated to open in mid-August), where something that was obsolete, outdated, and closed is re-purposed and re-opens as a state-of-the-art teaching facility. The center is located in the former Sierra Vista Regional Health Center, which closed when Canyon Vista Hospital opened. It was donated to the college by The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona. Through creativity and innovation, it becomes the new home, appropriately, of nursing and health sciences, culinary arts and electronics training programs; the Center for Lifelong Learning and Small Business Development Center/Center for Economic Research; Virtual Campus offices; and three local partners that facilitate community services. It makes room on campus for other things, flexibility the college hasn’t had in recent years. Notice the domino effect.

Extensive renovation has revealed symbols of past creative destruction. A “no parking” sign found on an interior wall is evidence that spot previously served a different purpose. Where once there was an emergency room, now there is a large classroom.

Many times, in order to grow, organizations need to remain relevant and keep up with the times, or even be ahead of the curve. Transformation isn’t always easy. But I feel that the forces that played a role in making the Downtown Center a reality shaped an especially sweet opportunity to transform that location and its purpose in a way that will benefit the entire region. The closure of something old has resulted in a creative innovation that advances not just one community but the whole county.

“Moving forward” will be the theme of this year’s Cochise College employee convocation, which will be the first event to test the capacity of the Downtown Center. The center itself is symbolic of this theme but also is a metaphor for creative destruction. What was old is new again.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

Leaders are in demand at community colleges across the nation. A study by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) found that 75 percent of survey respondents anticipated retiring within 10 years, and that colleges also could expect significant turnover among senior administrators and faculty.

While progress and innovation are central themes at Cochise College, AACC says that “institutional transformation cannot take place without the development and continual improvement of a college’s leadership.” Recognizing a need for “grow-your-own” programs, AACC developed competencies for community college leadership.

When I joined Cochise College over seven years ago, I was aware that the college anticipated a significant number of retirements in coming years. Retiring employees leave a void, and not only would Cochise College need people willing to pick up the reins, it also needed to provide those individuals with as much information and mentoring as possible to help them do so. According to AACC, “There needs to be deliberate preparation in order to produce leaders with the right competencies, particularly competencies in risk taking and change management.”

Over the course of three days in July, Cochise College hosted a President’s Leadership Academy. Twenty-seven faculty and staff representing a variety of disciplines and departments participated in sessions on defining leadership; communication styles; governance, financial and political topics; and learning from others. Participants also heard from current and former presidents of both rural and urban community colleges. The academy was facilitated by leadership consultant and long-time educator and administrator Dr. Pamila Fisher, who, among other things, helps match colleges and presidents.

Participants learned about each other, considered their personal goals, heard about the successes and challenges of other community college leaders, and evaluated their level of comfort with the concept of leadership. Group sharing led not only to a greater sense of understanding, but also helped build a team of individuals who can turn to each other for advice and greater perspective.

I’m proud that Cochise College chose to make this investment in its future, and the college is fortunate to have leaders at all levels who desire to move the institution forward and improve student success. I can’t say all of the participants will choose to stay with Cochise College forever, as some may choose to pursue their goals elsewhere. In order to help meet demand, the college has, and will continue to provide, training that helps leaders respond to the complex issues it faces in fulfilling the needs of students and employers.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

Cochise College financial aid and transfer metrics may never have been as exciting as when Dr. Verlyn Fick, vice president for instruction/provost, presented these topics at the October Governing Board meeting.

Financial aid has changed significantly since Verlyn began his career in academia, and recent changes at the federal level, as well as diligent adherence to high standards by the college’s Financial Aid Office, under the direction of Karen Emmer, are helping Cochise College students succeed.

Of 67 Arizona community colleges, universities, and private institutions, Cochise College had the sixth lowest default rate on student loans for the 2013 cohort. Its rate was better than those of the three public universities; the next community college on the list ranked 39th. Cochise’s 5.2 percent rate was down from 9.6 percent for the 2012 cohort. Defaulted loans harm the financial future of students. Schools with a default rate of 30 or higher find themselves under scrutiny, which may harm their ability to offer federal financial aid. Our Financial Aid Office protects students’ financial futures, generally advising them to make calculated choices about the finances they already have or can access. In addition, the Financial Aid Office, in partnership with USA Funds, provides opportunities to offer life skills training for students and a mentoring program. The Financial Aid Office implemented a system to help students complete without exceeding federal aid regulations, and educated college and high school personnel and the greater community about the impact of default rates on schools. In just a few years, the Cochise College default rate dropped while the graduation rate increased.

Studies have shown that community college graduates are as likely or more likely to be successful at the university level as native students who begin their studies at the universities. According to recent information, Cochise College students are proving this to be true. The percent of new Cochise College transfers who graduated within two years from an Arizona public university rose from 20 percent for the class of 2007 to 26.7 percent for the class of 2013. In fact, for the Cochise College class of 2012, 53.4 percent of transfers had earned a university degree within three years of transfer, and 64.5 percent earned it within four years of transfer. These percentages are equal to or greater than the state average.

There’s even better news related to Cochise College minority transfer students, whose university graduation rates are equal to or greater than the state average. In fact, Cochise College minority transfers graduate at a higher rate than their non-minority counterparts. The is no achievement gap on this metric. Cochise has always served and treasured our very diverse student population, so we’re pleased to have helped make this possible.

The team of faculty and staff working with students here at Cochise College leads Arizona in these areas, and the college continues to raise the bar, as well as to be an incredible return on investment for both students and the citizens of Cochise County.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

JD Rottweiler, Ph.D.

It’s interesting how things change over time, some of it planned, some of it not.

“Finding the Cochise College ‘way,’” read the headline on my very first column as Cochise College president, dated August 2009. That piece highlighted some things I hoped we would do, focused on what a valuable resource Cochise College already was, and addressed something that is on my mind again as a new chapter in Cochise College history begins.

With this week’s opening of the Downtown Center, the college is poised and eager to chart unfamiliar waters. It is “moving forward.”

The opening of the center has energized board members, faculty and staff, and the community. It should, because we have ideas and plans that previously could not be explored because of space. That has all changed and we can hardly wait to get started.

Walt Disney once said, “Around here, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we’re curious…and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Likewise, a college is no place to keep curiosity or new ideas at bay. My remarks at faculty-staff convocation encouraged creativity and innovation. For me, creativity and innovation are different. Creativity is the process of generating something new. It is a prerequisite of innovation. Innovation, on the other hand, is the practical application of that creativity. It is the act of introducing something new or improving an existing idea or process. Innovation disrupts the status quo and moves us forward.

The ability for Cochise College to be innovative on a sustainable basis requires us to look within and to renew ourselves continually. We have to be willing to clear enough of what’s on our minds to create an open space for new ideas, and to recognize new possibilities when they appear. Then we have to be willing to act on those new ideas or possibilities. Innovation is proof of creativity. Like any organization trying to be innovative, we have to be willing to change and we have to be willing to let go of things that are not working, outdated, or have run their course. This is often the most difficult part of innovating; letting go and change.

At Cochise College we are working hard to be innovative. Our objective is to offer employees opportunities to think outside the box, to defy boundaries – be they departmental, vocational, organizational, political, or otherwise – in order to best serve today’s students.

I did not in August 2009 foresee exactly where we are today. The column headline about “finding our way,” however, is timeless. If it is to remain relevant, the college should always be finding and redefining its way. It should always be moving forward.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

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By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

It goes without saying that 2016 has been a memorable year. For the second consecutive cycle, Cochise earned the maximum 10 years of accreditation. The college awarded more than 1,800 degrees and certificates and opened the new Downtown Center. It became an American Welding Society accredited testing facility, renewed its nursing accreditation, and was highlighted numerous times by various entities as a top community college in the U.S.

Donors seeking to help promote student success also made an impact.

Henry Bollweg III, a former Bisbee educator, and Margaret Sessford, a retired civil servant, each left property that the Cochise College Foundation sold to establish scholarships. Hudbay Minerals, APS, Raytheon and A’viands, the college’s food service provider, established new scholarships this year. The college awarded new scholarships provided by the Mexican consulate in Douglas and matched by a state-side donor to students of Mexican descent attending Cochise College. County residents Hal Thomas, Rodney Long and Dr. Karen Nicodemus, Cochise College president emeritus, remembered loved ones recently lost by establishing or redefining charitable donations. Contributions by The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona and the Wick Family Foundation helped local non-profit leaders attend the Center for Lifelong Learning’s Non-Profit Management Certificate Program. Copper Queen Community Hospital, Lawley Automotive Group, Fairfield Inn & Suites – Sierra Vista, Cafe Roka, The Mall at Sierra Vista, American Southwest Credit Union, Kief-Joshua Vineyards, and retired college president Dr. Dan Rehurek provided in-kind gifts for classroom use or in support of fundraising efforts.

The college inducted its second Hall of Fame class: Mark Battaglia, Cochise College Foundation; the late Ray Levra, long-time art faculty; and Dr. Mary Lee Shelden, retired English faculty and an initiator of many things still in place at the college today. It also lost several individuals with prominent or lengthy connections to the institution. They include Jack Corkery, the first dean of students; Jerry Harwood, widow of the college’s second president; Pat (Pallister) O’Brien, former dean of students who helped bring important lecturers and performers to the college in the 1960s; Sammie Paschal, former director of housing and Eldershostel; George Nicodemus, former women’s basketball coach; Don Johnson, one of the original English faculty members; Ann Kull, former registrar and director of financial aid; Loren Cooper, former motor transport faculty; and Lt. Col. George Hooper, long-time foundation board member.

Cochise College also dealt with challenging issues in 2016, from relocating entire departments to preparing for new labor requirements. Now we have entered budget planning season.

As I reflect on the achievements, supporters, losses and challenges of 2016, I’m heartened to discover that around every turn – new year, new semester, commencement – is a new opportunity to re-visit, re-evaluate and move forward!

With that, I wish all of you a wonderful and restful holiday season.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

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JD Rottweiler, Ph.D.

As the world deals with global threats and unpredictable markets and the United States prepares for an important election, the term “creative destruction” or “disruptive innovation” has been regularly on my mind. In Forbes, contributor Adam Hartung recently applied the theory to the social climate that led to Brexit and the current U.S. presidential race.

Creative destruction is an economic term that refers to situations in which innovation renders its predecessors obsolete. What is known and accepted transitions into something else that becomes the new normal.

When considered in a more positive light, it’s a term that also makes me think of the Cochise College Downtown Center (slated to open in mid-August), where something that was obsolete, outdated, and closed is re-purposed and re-opens as a state-of-the-art teaching facility. The center is located in the former Sierra Vista Regional Health Center, which closed when Canyon Vista Hospital opened. It was donated to the college by The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona. Through creativity and innovation, it becomes the new home, appropriately, of nursing and health sciences, culinary arts and electronics training programs; the Center for Lifelong Learning and Small Business Development Center/Center for Economic Research; Virtual Campus offices; and three local partners that facilitate community services. It makes room on campus for other things, flexibility the college hasn’t had in recent years. Notice the domino effect.

Extensive renovation has revealed symbols of past creative destruction. A “no parking” sign found on an interior wall is evidence that spot previously served a different purpose. Where once there was an emergency room, now there is a large classroom.

Many times, in order to grow, organizations need to remain relevant and keep up with the times, or even be ahead of the curve. Transformation isn’t always easy. But I feel that the forces that played a role in making the Downtown Center a reality shaped an especially sweet opportunity to transform that location and its purpose in a way that will benefit the entire region. The closure of something old has resulted in a creative innovation that advances not just one community but the whole county.

“Moving forward” will be the theme of this year’s Cochise College employee convocation, which will be the first event to test the capacity of the Downtown Center. The center itself is symbolic of this theme but also is a metaphor for creative destruction. What was old is new again.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

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JD Rottweiler, Ph.D.

It’s interesting how things change over time, some of it planned, some of it not.

“Finding the Cochise College ‘way,’” read the headline on my very first column as Cochise College president, dated August 2009. That piece highlighted some things I hoped we would do, focused on what a valuable resource Cochise College already was, and addressed something that is on my mind again as a new chapter in Cochise College history begins.

With this week’s opening of the Downtown Center, the college is poised and eager to chart unfamiliar waters. It is “moving forward.”

The opening of the center has energized board members, faculty and staff, and the community. It should, because we have ideas and plans that previously could not be explored because of space. That has all changed and we can hardly wait to get started.

Walt Disney once said, “Around here, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we’re curious…and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Likewise, a college is no place to keep curiosity or new ideas at bay. My remarks at faculty-staff convocation encouraged creativity and innovation. For me, creativity and innovation are different. Creativity is the process of generating something new. It is a prerequisite of innovation. Innovation, on the other hand, is the practical application of that creativity. It is the act of introducing something new or improving an existing idea or process. Innovation disrupts the status quo and moves us forward.

The ability for Cochise College to be innovative on a sustainable basis requires us to look within and to renew ourselves continually. We have to be willing to clear enough of what’s on our minds to create an open space for new ideas, and to recognize new possibilities when they appear. Then we have to be willing to act on those new ideas or possibilities. Innovation is proof of creativity. Like any organization trying to be innovative, we have to be willing to change and we have to be willing to let go of things that are not working, outdated, or have run their course. This is often the most difficult part of innovating; letting go and change.

At Cochise College we are working hard to be innovative. Our objective is to offer employees opportunities to think outside the box, to defy boundaries – be they departmental, vocational, organizational, political, or otherwise – in order to best serve today’s students.

I did not in August 2009 foresee exactly where we are today. The column headline about “finding our way,” however, is timeless. If it is to remain relevant, the college should always be finding and redefining its way. It should always be moving forward.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

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By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

Leaders are in demand at community colleges across the nation. A study by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) found that 75 percent of survey respondents anticipated retiring within 10 years, and that colleges also could expect significant turnover among senior administrators and faculty.

While progress and innovation are central themes at Cochise College, AACC says that “institutional transformation cannot take place without the development and continual improvement of a college’s leadership.” Recognizing a need for “grow-your-own” programs, AACC developed competencies for community college leadership.

When I joined Cochise College over seven years ago, I was aware that the college anticipated a significant number of retirements in coming years. Retiring employees leave a void, and not only would Cochise College need people willing to pick up the reins, it also needed to provide those individuals with as much information and mentoring as possible to help them do so. According to AACC, “There needs to be deliberate preparation in order to produce leaders with the right competencies, particularly competencies in risk taking and change management.”

Over the course of three days in July, Cochise College hosted a President’s Leadership Academy. Twenty-seven faculty and staff representing a variety of disciplines and departments participated in sessions on defining leadership; communication styles; governance, financial and political topics; and learning from others. Participants also heard from current and former presidents of both rural and urban community colleges. The academy was facilitated by leadership consultant and long-time educator and administrator Dr. Pamila Fisher, who, among other things, helps match colleges and presidents.

Participants learned about each other, considered their personal goals, heard about the successes and challenges of other community college leaders, and evaluated their level of comfort with the concept of leadership. Group sharing led not only to a greater sense of understanding, but also helped build a team of individuals who can turn to each other for advice and greater perspective.

I’m proud that Cochise College chose to make this investment in its future, and the college is fortunate to have leaders at all levels who desire to move the institution forward and improve student success. I can’t say all of the participants will choose to stay with Cochise College forever, as some may choose to pursue their goals elsewhere. In order to help meet demand, the college has, and will continue to provide, training that helps leaders respond to the complex issues it faces in fulfilling the needs of students and employers.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

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By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

Cochise College financial aid and transfer metrics may never have been as exciting as when Dr. Verlyn Fick, vice president for instruction/provost, presented these topics at the October Governing Board meeting.

Financial aid has changed significantly since Verlyn began his career in academia, and recent changes at the federal level, as well as diligent adherence to high standards by the college’s Financial Aid Office, under the direction of Karen Emmer, are helping Cochise College students succeed.

Of 67 Arizona community colleges, universities, and private institutions, Cochise College had the sixth lowest default rate on student loans for the 2013 cohort. Its rate was better than those of the three public universities; the next community college on the list ranked 39th. Cochise’s 5.2 percent rate was down from 9.6 percent for the 2012 cohort. Defaulted loans harm the financial future of students. Schools with a default rate of 30 or higher find themselves under scrutiny, which may harm their ability to offer federal financial aid. Our Financial Aid Office protects students’ financial futures, generally advising them to make calculated choices about the finances they already have or can access. In addition, the Financial Aid Office, in partnership with USA Funds, provides opportunities to offer life skills training for students and a mentoring program. The Financial Aid Office implemented a system to help students complete without exceeding federal aid regulations, and educated college and high school personnel and the greater community about the impact of default rates on schools. In just a few years, the Cochise College default rate dropped while the graduation rate increased.

Studies have shown that community college graduates are as likely or more likely to be successful at the university level as native students who begin their studies at the universities. According to recent information, Cochise College students are proving this to be true. The percent of new Cochise College transfers who graduated within two years from an Arizona public university rose from 20 percent for the class of 2007 to 26.7 percent for the class of 2013. In fact, for the Cochise College class of 2012, 53.4 percent of transfers had earned a university degree within three years of transfer, and 64.5 percent earned it within four years of transfer. These percentages are equal to or greater than the state average.

There’s even better news related to Cochise College minority transfer students, whose university graduation rates are equal to or greater than the state average. In fact, Cochise College minority transfers graduate at a higher rate than their non-minority counterparts. The is no achievement gap on this metric. Cochise has always served and treasured our very diverse student population, so we’re pleased to have helped make this possible.

The team of faculty and staff working with students here at Cochise College leads Arizona in these areas, and the college continues to raise the bar, as well as to be an incredible return on investment for both students and the citizens of Cochise County.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

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By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

It goes without saying that 2016 has been a memorable year. For the second consecutive cycle, Cochise earned the maximum 10 years of accreditation. The college awarded more than 1,800 degrees and certificates and opened the new Downtown Center. It became an American Welding Society accredited testing facility, renewed its nursing accreditation, and was highlighted numerous times by various entities as a top community college in the U.S.

Donors seeking to help promote student success also made an impact.

Henry Bollweg III, a former Bisbee educator, and Margaret Sessford, a retired civil servant, each left property that the Cochise College Foundation sold to establish scholarships. Hudbay Minerals, APS, Raytheon and A’viands, the college’s food service provider, established new scholarships this year. The college awarded new scholarships provided by the Mexican consulate in Douglas and matched by a state-side donor to students of Mexican descent attending Cochise College. County residents Hal Thomas, Rodney Long and Dr. Karen Nicodemus, Cochise College president emeritus, remembered loved ones recently lost by establishing or redefining charitable donations. Contributions by The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona and the Wick Family Foundation helped local non-profit leaders attend the Center for Lifelong Learning’s Non-Profit Management Certificate Program. Copper Queen Community Hospital, Lawley Automotive Group, Fairfield Inn & Suites – Sierra Vista, Cafe Roka, The Mall at Sierra Vista, American Southwest Credit Union, Kief-Joshua Vineyards, and retired college president Dr. Dan Rehurek provided in-kind gifts for classroom use or in support of fundraising efforts.

The college inducted its second Hall of Fame class: Mark Battaglia, Cochise College Foundation; the late Ray Levra, long-time art faculty; and Dr. Mary Lee Shelden, retired English faculty and an initiator of many things still in place at the college today. It also lost several individuals with prominent or lengthy connections to the institution. They include Jack Corkery, the first dean of students; Jerry Harwood, widow of the college’s second president; Pat (Pallister) O’Brien, former dean of students who helped bring important lecturers and performers to the college in the 1960s; Sammie Paschal, former director of housing and Eldershostel; George Nicodemus, former women’s basketball coach; Don Johnson, one of the original English faculty members; Ann Kull, former registrar and director of financial aid; Loren Cooper, former motor transport faculty; and Lt. Col. George Hooper, long-time foundation board member.

Cochise College also dealt with challenging issues in 2016, from relocating entire departments to preparing for new labor requirements. Now we have entered budget planning season.

As I reflect on the achievements, supporters, losses and challenges of 2016, I’m heartened to discover that around every turn – new year, new semester, commencement – is a new opportunity to re-visit, re-evaluate and move forward!

With that, I wish all of you a wonderful and restful holiday season.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

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By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

As investigations of interference in the U.S. election process make headlines, Cochise College enters its 13th year of educating students in the area of cybersecurity. Later this month, we’ll celebrate what we’ve been able to build by bringing our current cyber students together with industry experts and program graduates for an evening of networking and learning from the pros.

The cybersecurity program Cochise offers today evolved from an information security program that began in 2004. It falls under the computer information systems umbrella, which enrolls more than 1,500 annually and also includes Cisco training; computer maintenance, repair and programming; Linux; networking; and web development. Currently, 185 students have chosen cybersecurity as their major. Graduates have found positions with military contractors and government agencies. They’re often employable after just a few classes.

Graduates will share their experiences and advice in a Jan. 25 cyber event aimed at preparing current cybersecurity students both for their college education and the workplace. Some of them got a foot in the door by participating in auxiliary college cyber activities, which continue today. For example, 200 to 300 local youth annually participate in the Computer Challenge at the Sierra Vista Campus. Through a partnership with AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association), CIS faculty coordinate community volunteers and organize competitions and theory tests in computer fundamentals, information security, programming, digital graphics and desktop publishing, PC repair, speaking, and interviewing.

The college also is actively engaged with the Air Force Association (AFA) CyberPatriot program, in which high school students compete in exercises designed to teach them to remediate technological vulnerabilities. Twenty-eight of Arizona’s 71 CyberPatriot teams – or 40 percent – are trained here at Cochise College.

Important partnerships have helped fund progress in cybersecurity training at Cochise. A National Science Foundation Engineering Pathways Partnership Project grant has funded curriculum redesign with an industry advisory council. A $100,000 Youth CareerConnect Department of Labor grant funded opportunities for Center for Academic Success and Buena High School students taking cyber courses at Cochise. It also helped with the cost of equipment, primarily servers and removable solid-state drives.

In addition to two Sierra Vista Campus cybersecurity classrooms, an additional classroom will soon turn into a dynamic workspace for students to tackle cybersecurity challenges as teams. Students will work in a cyber range to test high-level cyber technologies and in an Internet of Things lab that includes connected devices that seldom are considered when developing a security plan for an organization. Think Amazon Echo devices that are always on and connected and waiting for a voice command.

Finally, Cochise has added a new full-time cybersecurity faculty position recently filled by former Engility Section Manager Mike McLain, who will facilitate the industry panel at the college’s cybersecurity event this month. The industry panel includes representatives from the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) and Fort Huachuca, NCI, Northrop Grumman, Engility and Raytheon, which is now offering a scholarship and internship for transitioning soldiers.

During my time here at Cochise, community and national demand for cybersecurity has increased tremendously and we have made every effort to ensure our cyber students are well-prepared to enter this dynamic space. It’s the passion and expertise of college faculty and staff who have not only helped the institution meet those needs, but also kept the college at the forefront of this increasingly important industry.

J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

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By J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D.

Are you looking for someone to fill an open position at your place of work or business? Sometimes, that’s easier said than done, particularly in rural areas. It’s also a challenge facing employers across America.

Why is that? Recent reports may offer some clues.

At least one concludes that more than 15 percent of individuals ages 16-24 living in Cochise County are neither working nor in school. This parallels measures at the state level – Arizona ranks 47th – and exceeds the national average of 13 percent. The Opportunity Index (www.opportunityindex.org) is an annual composite measure at the state and county levels of economic, educational and civic factors that expand opportunity. It also finds that only 33.5 percent of Cochise County adults age 25 and older hold an associate’s degree or higher; according to this indicator, the county population lags behind both Arizona and the U.S.

The index suggests that two people born in similar towns in different states may have very different experiences, while also asking if all children should have access to equal conditions of opportunity. It reports on median income, affordable housing, and poverty; preschool enrollment and higher education achievement; and community safety and disconnected youth.

The index was developed by Opportunity Nation and Measure of America. Opportunity Nation is a national campaign comprised of more than 350 cross-sector organizations working together to expand economic mobility and close the opportunity gap in America. In conjunction with United Way, Measure of America has developed a tool to forecast how things might change in a community if educational outcomes were better.

I used the forecaster at www.measureofamerica.org to change the percentage of Cochise County residents who have not completed high school from 14 to 0 percent. The results are significant. It added two years to the average life expectancy, more than halved the murder rate, increased average earnings by some $9,000, reduced the poverty rate by 5 percentage points, decreased unemployment by 3 percentage points, and increased the voting rate by nearly 10 percentage points. This exercise literally moves the needle.

While it might seem farfetched that we will reach 100 percent of residents achieving a high school diploma, we can make progress toward that ideal. Imagine if the percentage of those lacking a diploma were cut in half.

We at Cochise College are very conscious of these statistics, as they highlight areas of educational need that we are positioned to fill. One solution is to enhance student success, and that means everything from how prospective students first interact with the college to how they identify and achieve their goals. This semester, we are working on the details of a cohesive student success effort, some aspects of which are already in place. Our plan includes outreach to schools and a community awareness campaign; streamlined enrollment processes; redesigned developmental education curriculum in math, English and reading; and a student success component that places those who need it in an Academic Success Seminar.

The Cochise College foundation also is implementing an annual fundraising drive to grow support for scholarships. My vision is that there will come a day when there is enough local financial assistance to help every Cochise College graduating high school senior, and to inspire students to achieve that goal.

As you can see, bolstering student success is a multi-faceted effort.

There is a way you can help students and the local workforce in the short term. The foundation is now seeking donations of cash or auction items for a fundraising event – An Evening at the Races – to be held on the Sierra Vista Campus April 29. The event will raise money for scholarships and, we hope, be the first of many annual events that engage the community in celebrating and expanding our efforts. If you’d like to be part of it, contact the foundation at (520) 417-4735.

Despite the challenges, I remain extremely proud of Cochise College, look forward to being able to “move the needle,” and will be eager to report progress on our student success plan to the community.
J.D. Rottweiler is president of Cochise College. Contact him at jdr@cochise.edu.

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