Campus allows students easier access to education

The semester is in full swing in one building of the new Maricopa campus of Central Arizona College, which began classes Jan. 18.

“We have 84 class sections, which corresponds to 396 students utilizing our Maricopa campus’ first building this semester,” said Chris Wodka, CAC’s vice president of finance and administration.

The other buildings are set to open in the fall, but Wodka said it is too early to forecast enrollment numbers.

Nursing student Ben Koontz, 43, said the opening of the Maricopa campus helped him decide to resume school.

“It’s local and easy to get to,” he said. “Because it’s close by, I can go back to school.”

Koontz said he has to take one class at the Signal Peak campus near Casa Grande.

“The commute is OK, but I’d rather have all of my classes on the Maricopa campus,” he said.

Culinary Arts Professor Carol Bennett teaches one class at the Maricopa campus and said she enjoys the new building.

“It’s a brand new, state of the art facility,” she said. “One of the things we teach is sustainability and the campus has embraced that concept and incorporated it into the buildings.”

She said there will be more classes offered next fall. 

“When the new buildings open there will be a lot more people on campus,” she said. “A college campus has a vibe to it when you have more people and more events happening; it’s more lively.”

Nursing student Paullette Rosler, 32, is taking five classes and is on campus three days a week. 

The Hidden Valley resident said her 25-mile commute is tedious, but is better than driving to the Signal Peak campus.

“I’m looking forward to the library being open because I will be able to study there,” she said.

***ADVERTISEMENT***She said the campus is busier at night.

“A lot of people work during the day, so they take classes at night,” she said.

Rosler said one of her classes is at the Maricopa Center and is excited for fall when all of her classes will be on the same campus. The center is at 20800 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 104.

Students at the Maricopa campus can pursue associate degrees in the arts, sciences and business. Majors include culinary arts, nursing, chemistry, accounting and many more. 

Fall registration begins April 1 and classes begin Aug. 16.

The campus is at 17945 N. Regent Drive, adjacent to the Legacy Traditional School. 

For more information call 520-494-6400 or click on CentralAZ.edu.