Coconino Community College - News and Spotlights

Grand Opening for CCC's New Kaibab Campus and Automotive Training Facility

Saturday, 16^th August 2025

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Coconino Community College (CCC) invites the public to celebrate the grand opening of its new Kaibab Campus at 1131 W. Kaibab Lane in Flagstaff on Saturday, August 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The new campus, located behind Flagstaff Chevrolet, will serve as the home of CCC’s growing trades training programs, including hands-on instruction in automotive technology. The grand opening celebration will include campus tours, remarks from college leadership and community [...]

Comet’s Welcome 14 New Cross Country Recruits for Fall 2024 Season

Tuesday, 4^th June 2024

Flagstaff, Ariz. - Coconino Community College (CCC) is thrilled to announce the addition of 13 talented recruits to the cross country team for the upcoming fall 2024 season. These new athletes, hailing from diverse backgrounds and bringing a wealth of experience, are poised to strengthen CCC's already formidable cross country program. "We are incredibly excited to welcome these outstanding runners to our team," said Head Coach Craig Hunt. "Each of these athletes brings unique strengths and a dedication to excellence that will [...]

CCC Selects Dr. Sandra Hinski as Provost & Executive Vice President

Wednesday, 22^nd May 2024

Dr. Sandra Hinski, CCC Provost and Executive VP

CCC to receive up to $4 million to attract male high school students to higher education

Friday, 22^nd September 2023

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Coconino Community College has received the largest donation in the college’s history to attract male high school students to higher education. A private donor has offered the college $1 million per year for four years to achieve the goal. “This transformational gift will allow us to blaze a new path forward and open the doors of higher education for students who may not have been considering going to college,” said Dr. Eric Heiser, President of CCC. “With the resources that this gift will provide, we [...]

CCC receives $750,000 grant from Lowe's Foundation

Thursday, 27^th July 2023

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Coconino Community College received a $750,000 grant from the Lowe’s Foundation to help grow the college’s Construction Technology Management programs. CCC was one of 10 colleges nationwide chosen as recipients of the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program. The program is a five-year, $50 million commitment by Lowe’s to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. This year’s recipients were awarded nearly $8 million in grants to help bolster skilled trades training infrastructure. “We’re incredibly honored to have been selected as one the first-ever Gable Grants Recipients [...]

CCC Comet Promise helps students Start Small and Go Big

Tuesday, 27^th June 2023

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The scenario is all too common: Some students struggling to make ends meet and who qualify for federal financial aid still don’t quite have the funds to completely cover the cost of their tuition. To those students, such a barrier is hard, if not impossible, to overcome. Coconino Community College makes those students a promise: The college will cover the difference. The Comet Promise program helps eligible students pay for their education by covering the cost of tuition when federal grants fall short. The program aims at helping remove economic barriers to offer a pathway for CCC students to [...]

CCC tax reset update: Promises made, promises kept

Wednesday, 24^th May 2023

One year after Coconino County voters approved a primary property tax levy increase for CCC, the college has instituted several new programs and initiatives. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Promises made, promises kept by your community college. One year after the passage of a primary property tax reset for Coconino Community College, CCC has made significant progress in following through on commitments made to the voters of Coconino County. Of the several programs and initiatives promised by the increase in the primary property tax rate to Coconino Community College, many of them have already been implemented or are in process. “To date, we’ve fulfilled nearly 75 percent of the items we noted on the ballot initiative,” said CCC President Eric Heiser, Ph.D. “And guess what? We’re not done yet. We have [...]

Conference at CCC focuses on sharing ideas among math faculty statewide

Thursday, 4^th May 2023

CCC Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences Jennifer Jameson speaks to a crowd of mathematics faculty from around the state during the the Arizona Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges conference in Flagstaff on April 7, 2023. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Coconino Community College student Horizon Gillson is working his way toward a degree in astrophysics. So, he jumped at the chance to attend the Arizona Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges conference in Flagstaff on April 7 because the featured speaker was Dr. Gerard van Belle, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory. [...]

Presentation focuses on Preservation of North American Indian Sign Language

Thursday, 13^th April 2023

Dr. Melanie McKay-Cody and Colin Denny at the Preservation of North American Indian Sign Language presentation FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - “I didn’t see anyone doing it, so I felt like it needed to happen,” said Colin Denny, who provided a sign language performance at this year’s Superbowl. “We need someone to take the reins to make changes in a positive way and give back to the community.” Denny is referring to the preservation of North American Indian Sign Language, which was the topic of a presentation at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff on March [...]

CCC's Cassidy named to All-USA Academic Team

Monday, 3^rd April 2023

David Cassidy, CCC student and All-Arizona Academic Scholarship awardee, was also selected to receive the All-USA Academic Team Scholarship. Cassidy was one of 22 students nationwide who received the award, and they were all recognized during an event in Denver on Monday, April 3, 2023. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - David Cassidy, a student at Coconino Community College, is one of 22 college students named to the prestigious All-USA Academic Team and will receive a $5,000 scholarship. More than 2,400 students were nominated nationwide for the award. “It is an [...]

CCC student embraces sustainability, explores cultures

Tuesday, 21^st March 2023

CCC student Kai Williams will be traveling to Mexico this summer as part of a Study Abroad program at the college. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The pandemic dashed her family's plans for a post-graduation trip to Europe, but she remains undeterred in her desire to travel the world. Now CCC study abroad trip will give Williams the chance. The trip, organized by faculty member Katie Schwartz, will focus on culture, meaning no language prerequisite is required. Students will have the chance to visit several iconic destinations, including the capital of Mexico, La Ciudad de Mexico [...]

CCC helps teams build from the ground up

Monday, 6^th February 2023

City-sponsored training through a partnership between the City of Williams and CCC focuses on improving businesses. WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Building a team is like building a house. First, you start off with the foundation. Then, you get up the framing, flooring, plumbing, electrical, drywall and more. Finally, you can start personalizing. Team building was the topic of discussion during a workshop at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams on Tuesday, Jan. 24. The workshop is part of a larger series of workshops made possible through a partnership between the City of [...]

Single mothers in coconino county get a chance at free higher education

Thursday, 2^nd February 2023

Coconino Community College Partners with the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona to Expand the Pathways for Single Moms Program to Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, Ariz) Coconino Community College has been selected by the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA) as the nonprofit partner to launch the Pathways for Single Moms Program in the state’s northern region. This program is designed to eliminate barriers to higher education for single moms by giving them the necessary resources to secure livable wages and forge a career path. [...]

A home for Native American students at CCC

Thursday, 1^st December 2022

CCC student and Summer Bridge participant Mistyrose Jensen prepares to cut the ribbon to signal the opening of the new Native American Success Center at the Lone Tree Campus. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - “A home away from home.” That was the phrase mentioned by multiple students when asked about what the Native American Success Center (NASC) means to them. With the smell of good food in the air, the sound of laughter, and being surrounded by friends and family, it was hard not to feel at home. On the evening of Nov. 15, 2022, Coconino Community College hosted the Grand Opening of the Native American [...]

CCC becomes Bee Campus USA affiliate

Thursday, 10^th November 2022

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Coconino Community College has joined the ranks of becoming an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program. The program helps gather the strengths of educational campuses like CCC for the benefit of pollinators, and the college joins other cities and campuses across the country to improve their landscapes for pollinators. “CCC’s students, faculty and staff are champions for sustainable environmental practices,” said Dr. Christal Albrecht, Interim President. “Becoming a Bee Campus USA affiliate is a [...]

Dr. Eric Heiser selected as sixth CCC President

Thursday, 20^th October 2022

Dr. Eric Heiser has been named as the sixth president of Coconino Community College. He will begin his tenure on Jan. 1, 2023. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Coconino Community College District Governing Board announced during an Oct. 19 meeting that Dr. Eric Heiser will be the next president of the college. “After a national search with more than 50 applicants, the District Governing Board is excited to announce the selection of Dr. Heiser as Coconino Community College’s next president,” said Dr. Nat White, chair of the Board. “The college is positioned through the [...]

CCC Auto Tech program back in the game beginning Oct. 24

Friday, 14^th October 2022

Students learn all aspects of inspecting automobiles during the introductory class of Automotive Technician at CCC in partnership with Findlay Honda Flagstaff. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – After a short delay, the Coconino Community College Automotive Technology program is back and ready for students beginning Monday, Oct. 24. "CCC's Automotive Technology has grown in the year since it started," said Provost Dr. Nate Southerland. "When our instructor backed out right before the start of the semester and we had to suspend the program, we were heartbroken. We are thrilled to be able to get back up to speed and look forward to serving the students whose plans were disrupted at the beginning of the semester." The cost of living in Flagstaff made the process of hiring a full-time faculty member for the [...]

CCC's Burns takes first in Mesa

Thursday, 6^th October 2022

CCC Cross Country runner Hayley Burns beats the homefield favorite during the Mesa College XC Jamboree on Oct. 1. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Hayley Burns, runner for the Coconino Community College Cross Country Comets, nabbed first place during the Women 5K Run at the Mesa College XC Jamboree on Saturday, Oct. 1. Respectable showings among the women’s and men’s teams positioned CCC with a third-place berth for the women’s team and a fifth-place finish for the men’s team, who bested Phoenix College, ranked 20th in the nation. Currently, CCC’s women’s team is ranked [...]

Northern AZ community colleges sign historic partnership agreement to benefit students, community

Monday, 3^rd October 2022

College presidents sign historic partnership agreement to share resources that will benefit students and residents throughout northern Arizona. In photo (L-R): Northland Pioneer College President Dr. Chato Hazelbaker, Coconino Community College Interim President Dr. Christal M. Albrecht, Yavapai College President Dr. Lisa Rhine, and Mohave Community College President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein. (Oct. 3, 2022) NORTHERN ARIZONA – The four community college districts covering all northern Arizona have entered into a historic partnership agreement to help better serve students. [...]

Law enforcement partners with CCC for training academy

Thursday, 29^th September 2022

Flagstaff, Coconino County and Northern Arizona University officials and law enforcement team with Coconino Community College to create the High Country Training Academy to keep the training of recruits local and affordable. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - They will undergo drills and inspections. They will take classes and be put under extreme stress. The purpose: To achieve a level of professionalism in policing that meets the needs of the communities of northern Arizona. Beginning Oct. 3, 13 recruits will undergo 21 weeks of training at the newly established High Country [...]