PHOENIX March 26, 2020 – Following the directive of both state and government officials, schools across Arizona have been closed for several weeks now. Colleges, such as Phoenix College are working to provide students with online options to continue their schooling.
However, as economic concerns derived from the Coronavirus continue to grow, the Maricopa County Community Colleges and Phoenix College, in Central Phoenix is offering additional assistance to its student body at this time.
Ralph Thompson, Dean of Student Affairs at Phoenix College urges students to contact the school for help obtaining resources, including filing for SNAP assistance. He wants the student body to feel secure and well taken care of during these trying times. Web resources available is accessible via the college's web site. The web page provides information for the nearest food banks, housing, employment, and personal safety outlets.
“We felt compelled to step up and do as much as we possibly could to help our students during this crisis,” said Thompson. “We know this is an uncertain time for everyone involved, so we’re prepared to do everything within our power to make sure our students don’t go without basic necessities while continuing to obtain their educations from home.”
Approximately 9,150 students are currently taking classes online through Phoenix College during the pandemic. Of those 9,150, several thousand students also have part-time jobs and children who are home with them until further notice.
Phoenix College is offering free support for these hard-working individuals that can be found by visiting https://www.maricopa.edu/community-business/community-resources The goal of the administration is to remove some of the burden students are facing so they can continue focusing on pursuing higher education at this time.
Contact:
Ralph Thompson, Dean of Student Affairs, is available to discuss how Phoenix College is working with its students during this difficult time via a Skype interview or phone call.
To set up an interview, reach out to Erika Keenan with Phoenix College at Erika.keenan@phoenixcollege.edu or at 602.285.7842.
About Phoenix College:
Phoenix College is the flagship of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. The College will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2020. Phoenix College offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates and short-term job training to more than 17,000 students annually.