Roxie May's art from ұ's textile class
"I learned how to work with people and understand the human process more than before I took the class.” - Jeff Topping
Patrice Sullivan in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Patrice Sullivan's fiber art, created in
Guadalajara, Mexico
Focus on YOU
The demands of daily life can often make us feel like all our energy is used to get up, get the kids to school, get to work, get home in time for dinner, and get food on the table. If you’ve ever wondered, where can I engage my curiosities, learn a new skill, or connect with others in a meaningful way, you’re invited to GET creative, DIY, fit, tech-savvy, and psyched about your future, by taking a class for personal or professional growth. Visit ұ’s Find A Class to see what’s being offered this coming spring. Let ұ help you … Focus on You!
Get Creative
Roxie May can't remember not doing art. When she was little, she made her own toys out of paper. In high school and college, Roxie was into performing arts, theater set, and lighting design, but soon switched to fine arts with a major in ceramics and a minor in fiber arts. Eager to return to the fiber arts after retirement, Roxie heard about Saskia Jorda’s textiles class at ұ. What Roxie likes most about art and creativity is the process: “That's part of the learning, which is something I never want to stop doing. I don't have to come to the college to do this, but in this environment, the learning is richer because there's an exchange of ideas.”
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Get a Deeper Understanding
Jeff Topping started taking photographs in 1976, and thought, “Maybe I can make this my profession.” When he lived in Flagstaff he took a few photojournalism classes at NAU and then transferred to ASU for a degree in journalism. He interned at Tempe Daily News and then took a full-time job at the Mesa Tribune. He went on to freelance for The New York Times, Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and other news agencies. Eventually, Jeff moved to Dubai to work for a newspaper and then stayed and worked as a freelance photographer for many years. When Jeff moved back to Phoenix, he became a mentor for Kids in Focus, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring youth through photography. At an event, he met ұ psychology professor, Anndee Rickey. “She told me about her class and I knew ұ had a good reputation, so I took her psychology course. We read The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World and discussed the relationship between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, how they interact with other people, and what it means to be compassionate. I learned how to work with people and understand the human process more than before I took the class,” Jeff says.
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Get Ready to Travel!
Patrice Sullivan went to Guadalajara, Mexico in July. “I like to talk to people when I go to new places,” she says. “Before I went on the trip, I took some Spanish on Babbel, but it wasn’t enough,” so she signed up for a Spanish class at ұ when she returned. “Language is hard for me, I have trouble with enunciation, but I love the ұ class. Trino Sandoval is the greatest teacher; he’s patient and helpful. You know he wants you to succeed. For anyone on the fence about returning to school because of their age, she notes the youngsters in her class are lovely. I ask a lot of questions when I don’t understand. Some younger students appreciate my questions because they are too shy to ask.” Patrice also notes ұ's affordability. “If you’re on a budget, you can’t get more affordable.” In fact, Patrice plans to take another Spanish class in the spring.
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Get Tech-Savvy
Karen Yifru went to college right out of high school, but dropped out and returned, finishing her bachelor’s degree in mathematics when she was 25. Karen had two kids and became an actuary. When her youngest daughter graduated from law school, and her kids’ education was paid for, Karen wanted to do something for herself. Now 62, Karen likes going to school. “I work in Information Technology (IT) for a major insurance company, with developers, and I can read code, but I want to code myself. That's why I decided to go back to school and get a bachelor's degree. I don't intend to change my career. The bachelor’s degree gives me an understanding of what the developers are doing, to be a liaison between IT and the business.” She was initially going to get her associate’s degree and then ұ launched a bachelor's degree in IT, so she thought, why not? Karen says affordability drew her to ұ more than anything else, but she also wants a program that is offered 100 percent online. “I work 10 - 12 hour days, so I don’t have time to go to campus. I was able to enroll and attend a virtual orientation. There are so many opportunities out there right now," she noted, “especially for young people. Phoenix is becoming an IT hub.”
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Ready to embark on your own journey of personal or professional growth? ұ offers a diverse range of classes that cater to your unique interests and aspirations. Whether you're looking to unleash your creativity in art, enhance your language skills, explore the science of well-being, dive into the world of cinema, embrace interdisciplinary learning, delve into the tech-savvy realm, or simply stay fit, ұ has something for everyone.
Find a Class to explore what ұ has to offer and take the first step toward your personal goals. Your journey starts here - get ready, get inspired - it’s time to focus on YOU.