Who we are and What we do
The Arizona Western College Foundation is a community foundation committed to helping students reach their career goals through collaborative contributions, scholarships, and grants.
Education
The AWC Foundation manages 130 scholarship and program funds for a wide variety of programmatic areas. In 2016, 600 students applied for scholarships to attend Arizona Western College and the Foundation awarded $200,000 in tuition assistance. The AWC Foundation believes that obtaining a degree or certificate is a fundamental change maker for economic prosperity for the families in our community. AWC has a proven record of supporting student’s economic mobility and with your help, we can continue these efforts. Join our community partners and become a donor today.
Mission
The mission of the Arizona Western College Foundation is to empower people to reach their educational and career aspirations by enhancing access to learning opportunities.
- Raise funds by ‘friend’ raising and building endowments for scholarships to supplement institutional funds and support student enrollment goals.
- Assist AWC programs and departments through fund management, special event fundraising assistance, promotions, and processing donations.
- Solicit and maintain community relationships to promote collaborative projects to benefit the Foundation and AWC growth.
- Promote Alumni participation and pride to encourage active engagement with AWC and facilitate future donations for planning giving campaigns.
Board of Directors
A volunteer Board of Directors composed of business and industry representatives, community leaders, and alumni provide vision, strategic planning, and leadership for the AWC Foundation.
| Dr. Daniel P. Corr, AWC President | Ex-Officio |
| Brandon Kinsey, President | Garcia, Kinsey, Scott & Villarreal, P.L.C. |
| Ramona Duran, Vice President | WIOA Program Manager, La Paz Career Center |
| Dr. Frank Kidd, Treasurer | NAU Adjunct Professor of Business |
| Eric Gardner | VP of Gutierrez Canales Engineering, P.C. |
| Danyele Grissum | Program Manager, La Paz Adult Education |
| Bruce Gwynn | Executive Director, Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association |
| Jonathan Matheus | Real Estate Agent, A.T. Pancrazi Real Estate |
| Bob Nidiffer | Retired |
| Jane Peabody | AWC Coordinator of Physical and Wellness Education |
| Andrew Phelan | Finance Director, Antelope High School |
| Dr. Richard Ponschock | NAU Adjunct Faculty for Business |
| Karen Spencer | Community Fundraiser |
| Jeni Summer | Executive Director, STEDY Program Management |
| Crystal Gunderman | Senior Vice President and Regional President, Foothills Bank |
| Julie Rodriguez | Director for Education Services, Yuma County Education Services Agency |
| Renee Smith | Director of Institutional Advancement |
| Gladys Anaya | Coordinator of Development and Alumni Relations |
| Sandra Hernandez | Accounting Administrator |
| Alex Marquez | Work Study/Scholarship |
| Melissa Montes de Oca Nieves | Work Study/Administration |
Board of Directors
