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July 10, 2001

Eric Carter Exemplifies Maricopa Community Colleges' 'Grow Our Own'

Greater Phoenix - Fifteen years ago, a youthful Eric Carter took a job as a maintenance assistant with South Mountain Community College. Through his ten years at South Mountain, Carter received the usual pay raises and promotions while he and his wife Robin raised their two children, Brian and Erica.

"My wife and I knew that some day I would want to upgrade my career opportunities, but our children were our priority while they were small. It wasn't until four years ago that I could begin to explore educational opportunities to enhance my career," Carter said.

Four years ago, he applied for and was accepted into the Maricopa Community Colleges' Grow Our Own Maintenance and Operations/Crafts Apprenticeship Program coordinated by Conrad Mills from Scottsdale Community College. Carter who chose to specialize in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) achieved HVAC Technician status in May and now serves as an HVAC technician at Glendale Community College.

The road to Carter's success has not always been necessarily easy. For four years, it has meant some very long days as he would work his eight hours and then attend four hours of night school in the HVAC program at GateWay Community College in addition to the time he would need to spend studying. His apprenticeship involved spending at least six months at several of the Maricopa Community Colleges campuses. The last year and a half, he has been at Glendale Community College where Gary Bond, a GCC HVAC technician, mentored Carter. Carter said, "Gary has really helped me learn the trade and I owe him a lot as well as Al Gonzales Director of Maintenance and Operation at GCC." The last six months, Carter earned journeyman status. "I really need to give a special thanks to both my wife Robin and Gary Bond," said Carter. "Robin encouraged me from the beginning and has always been there as my cheerleader. There were times when I would be tired and maybe a bit down and both Robin and Gary were there to support me and offer encouragement. Gary has given his time unselfishly and has been an outstanding mentor."

At the June Governing Board meeting, Carter was awarded his HVAC Technician Certification in a unique graduation ceremony. Dr. Art DeCabooter, President of Scottsdale Community College and the Chancellor Executive Council liaison for the apprenticeship program, awarded Carter with his diplomas - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician and Journeyman. Joining DeCabooter in the presentation were Chancellor Fred Gaskin and Dr. Don Campbell, President of the Governing Board. The accolades for Eric Carter flowed during the ceremony.

"We are indeed proud to honor an employee graduate of the District's Apprenticeship Program. Eric Carter is most deserving of our recognition," said DeCabooter. "He is an exemplary and dedicated employee."

Fred Gaskin said, "Eric represents the Maricopa Community Colleges 'grow our own' philosophy. It is an honor to congratulate and recognize such an outstanding employee as Eric for his achievements."

Don Campbell added, "Eric's ambition and commitment serve as an inspiration to others who want to improve their careers. We are all very proud of Eric."

Dr. John Cordova, the former President of South Mountain Community College and the man responsible for encouraging Carter to apply for the apprenticeship program, said, "Eric has always been an exemplary employee as evidenced by his dedication and commitment to excellence. Completing of the District Apprenticeship program further exemplifies his drive and performance."

"Eric and other staff like him are 'the right arm' to our faculty who are in the classroom. Eric symbolizes how seriously staff take their own learning to contribute to a college that values learning as much as GCC does. We are very proud of Eric," said Dr. Tessa Pollack, President of Glendale Community College.

For Carter, however, this is an opportunity to set new goals. He said, "I reached my goal to become an HVAC technician. My next goal is to be a director of maintenance and operation for the Maricopa Community Colleges."

Carter graduated from an East Orange, New Jersey high school and moved to Phoenix twenty years ago. He met Robin and the two were married. Their daughter Erica is in her second year at GateWay Community College and aspires to be a pharmacist. Their son Brian and his wife have two children, Tupac and Raven, making Robin and Eric proud grandparents.

Carter is not the only graduate of the Grow Our Apprenticeship Program which was started in 1997. Coordinator Mills explained that others have graduated recently and currently there are five others in the program. Those who have earned their apprenticeship and journeyman status include Tim Matyas, Maintenance Electrician, Mesa Community College, in June 2000 and Jack Gallagos, Maintenance Electrician. College, January 2000.

Mills said the District coordinates with and must meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, Arizona Apprenticeship Services and the Department of Commerce for maintenance and operations apprenticeship programs. The apprenticeships take approximately four years to complete and there may be only five employees in the program at a time.

The Maricopa County Community College District, the largest community college district in the nation, includes 10 colleges - Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry, technical and customized training institutes and serves over 264,000 students annually. For more information: 480-731-8000 or www.maricopa.edu

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March 13, 2002