Thu Pham

Student

Thu Pham attained her Associate of Science in Biology in 2013 from AWC.  She has been accepted to a dual degree program, Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health. She is enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at the College of Public Health, University of Arizona and is seeking a master degree in Health Policy and Management.

She will start her first semester at the College of Pharmacy this coming Fall at the University of Arizona, in order to pursue the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Lucila Sedano

Caterfit Yuma Executive Chef and Owner

My education allows me to help others. After studying Dietetics and practicing in local care centers, school kitchens and several locations with AWC programs, I noticed that my passion was on cooking and making people enjoy their meals. I decided to take on another degree and went for Culinary Arts. For several years, I enjoyed cooking and learning new cooking techniques.  I loved empowering trainees to feel passion for this career as well. After finishing a Bachelor's degree in business management, I followed my teacher’s advice and created a business, CaterFit, where I offer a wide variety of meal plans to suit different lifestyles: Paleo, vegan, gluten free and vegetarian diets, just to name some of them. The best part is that I can creatively put menus together and have fun cooking while teaching people how easy it is to prepare delicious and healthy meals. In addition to managing CaterFit, I still hold my full time position as executive chef at a local Living Center.

Kim Seh

Principal

Kim chose AWC due to its convenience and quality of education.  She was able to complete all her degrees and certifications in the town where she grew up.  She enjoyed all her professors and the support given.

As an educator in the community, Kim felt AWC prepared her for NAU by offering rigorous educational courses.  Her counselors were supportive and helped her map out an educational course plan that was smooth and successful.  She has served Yuma County education in various capacities: 6 years as a teacher, 4 years as an instructional coach, 5 years as district curriculum director, and 10 years and counting as principal.

The biggest lesson learned at AWC was perseverance and taking responsibility for her own education.  Woven into this lesson was the ability to build relationships with the faculty and learning organizational skills that have supported her career to this day.

AWC is a great place to begin and achieve your educational goals!  The faculty and course offerings are supportive to any stage of life you may be in: working parent, high school graduate, or mature student coming back to earn a degree- all are welcomed and can find success at AWC.  The Yuma area is always in need of educators that are passionate for the children in our community and AWC can set you on the right track towards success as an educator.

Lynne Pancrazi

Yuma County Board of Supervisors District 5

Lynne Pancrazi has helped to change the face of education in Yuma and Arizona for the better. She did this through her work as an elected member of the Arizona House of Representatives (2007–2013) and the Arizona Senate (2013–2017), where she influenced legislation and policy at the state level and beyond on issues related to education, natural resources, public safety, and budget. She’s also known for her dedication to a safe and secure border, managed growth, adequate infrastructure and rural community issues. A product of Yuma public schools, Pancrazi spent 28 years as a teacher, instructor and athletic coach in Yuma Elementary School District One. She studied Criminal Justice at Arizona Western College and received her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Point Loma Nazarene College. Pancrazi also received her master’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She currently serves District 5 on the Yuma County Board of Supervisors after being elected to the position in 2016.

Charlene Fernandez

Democratic Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives

State Representative Charlene Fernandez currently serves Legislative District 4 -- which includes parts of Yuma, Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal Counties -- in the Arizona legislature, and is the Democratic Caucus Leader of the House of Representatives.
Charlene is one of the legislature's strongest advocates for public education, frequently pushing for more school funding from her position on the appropriations committee.
Prior to being elected to the legislature, Charlene worked in a variety of policy and constituent service roles for Congressman Ed Pastor, Governor Janet Napolitano and Congressman Raúl Grijalva. Charlene also served for more than 12 years on the Yuma Union High School Board.
Charlene was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona. She attended Yuma High School where she graduated, and went on to attend Arizona Western College before transferring to Northern Arizona University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. We are proud to say that she got her start at AWC! Once a Matador, always a Matador!!