Phoenix College Alumni Association

Congratulations Bears! ⚽️🏆👏

Have exciting news to share? Whether it’s a new job, promotion, award, business launch, family update, or another milestone, we’d love to celebrate your accomplishments and share your story with the Phoenix College alumni community 🗞️🎓

Share yours now: https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/community/alumni/share-your-news

PC Alumna Julie Rake gives TEDx talk on Healing What Divides Us

A practicing Physician Assistant for 23 years, Julie Rake’s career trajectory began at Phoenix College, where she was the first in her family to attend college and attain an advanced degree. She attended PC under her maiden name, Julie Ann Ramella, made the Dean’s List, and was a member of La Sociedad Nacional Hispanica (Spanish class honors) and Sigma Delta Mu (National Hispanic Honors Society). Building a strong academic foundation, she completed her general education requirements in 1997 and transferred to ASU for her bachelor’s degree.

“I came from a challenging childhood filled with insecurity and trauma. I was never pushed or prepared for college,” said Julie. “After high school, I went straight to work at an animal hospital. Once I resolved to pursue college and enter the medical field, trepidation set in.”

She was encouraged to attend community college. “Phoenix College is an institution of proficient, caring staff and instructors who supported me in my vulnerability as I embarked on an intimidating new chapter in my young life,” reflected Julie. “I am forever grateful to PC for being that beacon of love and light in my life. In many ways, it was the first chapter in my story.”

Full story: https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/news/2026/pc-alumna-julie-rake-gives-tedx-talk-healing-what-divides-us

👏🎓

👏💙

Congratulations, Class of 2026 🎓👏 You are now officially alumni of Phoenix College! Membership in the Alumni Association comes with a variety of benefits, including discounts, career services, resume support, library privileges, invitations to special alumni events and activities, and more. We are excited to welcome you into this next chapter of the PC community! 🐻💙

Countdown is on 🎓 We’re getting ready to celebrate our next class of graduates🤩👏

PC alumnus Edgar Fernandez was at a South Mountain gathering with his family when he saw his abuelo — a man in his nineties who still farms corn in his hometown in Mexico — standing quietly at the edge of the mountain, wearing his tejana hat and a printed shirt with surfboards. Fernandez pulled out his camera.

"He didn't know I took a photo," the Phoenix muralist and painter says. "But his face says so much."

That image became a graphite and gouache portrait in Cultural Identity, Fernandez’s exhibition on view through May 31 in the Phoenix Art Museum's Administration Building. In the drawing, Fernandez replaced the surfboards on his abuelo’s shirt with ears of corn, referencing the land and lineage of corn fields that have been tended across generations in his family. For Fernandez this is his artistic territory: the intersection of personal history, indigenous heritage, and the living culture of communities that too often go unrepresented in gallery spaces.

Don't miss Cultural Identity, on view through May 31 at the Phoenix Art Museum's Administration Building, 1st Floor Gallery, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Admission is free.

Full story:

People of Corn: The Art and Identity of Edgar Fernandez | Phoenix College Edgar Fernandez was at a South Mountain gathering with his family when he saw his abuelo — a man in his nineties who still farms corn in his hometown in Mexico — standing quietly at the edge of the mountain, wearing his tejana hat and a printed shirt with surfboards. Fernandez pulled out his cam...

✨ MEChA Mural Restoration: A Night to Remember at Phoenix College ✨

What an unforgettable evening! The MEChA Alumni Reunion and mural unveiling brought together nearly 100 alumni, students, and community members for a powerful celebration of culture, history, and legacy.

A highlight of the night was the unveiling of the restored MEChA mural—originally created over 45 years ago—brought back to life by alumni and students working side by side. More than restoration… it was reconnection.

We were honored to welcome pioneers like Elza Ávila, along with community leaders like Mary Rose Wilcox, Earl Wilcox, and Adrianna Coronel. Inspiring remarks from Fidel Atencio and Alejandra Gomez reminded us that MEChA continues to shape leaders across generations.

We also recognize the leadership and support of current MEChA club advisors Dr. Trino Sandoval, Laura Pastor and Arty Flores whose commitment continues to guide and uplift students.

💥 The evening also marked a historic moment—the launch of the MEChA Generaciones Endowment. With nearly $11,000 raised, this effort creates lasting support for student leadership, programs, and opportunities for years to come.

How You Can Support the Endowment: 👉 https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/Mecha-Reunion

Adelante siempre.