Menninger4.2012

C o c h i s e C a t s N e w s l e t t e rC o c h i s e C a t s N e w s l e t t e r A p r i l 2 0 1 2A p r i l 2 0 1 2

WW hen you’re weary, Feeling small,

When tears are in your eyes, I

will dry them all…”

Like the classic Simon and Garfunkel

song, the Cochise Cats program has proven to

be a “Bridge Over Troubled Water” for a stellar

Cochise College/University of Arizona South

student who continues to overcome adversity.

After graduating from Buena High

School in Sierra Vista in 2000, like most teens

growing up in the area, Jason Brumfield,

yearned to “escape” the slow pace. He prompt-

ly joined the U.S. Army.

Four years later, his military experience working in aircraft electronics landed Brum-

field a job with a civilian firm in Pennsylvania. Laid off from that position, he returned to Sierra

Vista and became a very good chef in the area – so good in fact that Brumfield was invited to

Los Angeles to manage a kitchen.

“I started getting really sick and doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me,”

he said. A chance meeting with a doctor in Tucson revealed “an extremely rare blood clotting

disorder which makes it very difficult for me to stand for long periods.”

The dream of being a renowned chef was deterred as Brumfield trekked to Tucson

and Phoenix to see specialists to monitor and maintain his ailment.

“…I’m on your side, When times get rough, And friends just can’t be found, Like a

bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down…”

It was during one of his trips to Phoenix that Brumfield met Tiffany Huxhold, who was

being treated by specialists for seizures.

“Even with his adversities, Jason was always helping others – always looking at the

bright side of things.”

Tiffany and Jason opted to make a home in Sierra Vista. They have been engaged

for six years.

“My medical issues prevented me from returning to the kitchen,” Brumfield lamented.

“I’ve never been one to sit around and do nothing, so I enrolled in classes at Cochise College.

I earned two degrees (avionics and electronics), but none of my classes transferred over to

University of Arizona.

The Cochise Cats Partnership Joint efforts in helping students reach their goal

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 11: Prof Develop-

ment: Educating Migrant

Students in a

Bi-national Context.

ceaton@email.arizona.edu

April 13: ASUAS Officer

Application Packets due

(UA South student

government)

April 20: Celebrating

Wildcats: Past, Present,

Future (Douglas)

April 21: Red and White

Banquet—Cochise Col-

lege

April 24: Arts and Music

Festival—Cochise Col-

lege

April 26: What Not To

Wear Fashion Show

Cochise College

April 28: SPRING ZING!,

Art and Crafts Fair at UA

South Sierra Vista (See

last page)

April 12-15: SPRING

FLING, largest student-

run Carnival.

springfling.arizona.edu

C o c h i s e C a t s p r o v e s t o b e s t u d e n t ’ s C o c h i s e C a t s p r o v e s t o b e s t u d e n t ’ s ‘ B r i d g e O v e r T r o u b l e d W a t e r ’‘ B r i d g e O v e r T r o u b l e d W a t e r ’

By Anthony ReedBy Anthony Reed

Michael Boardman (South Foundation) honors Jason Brumfield

with Foundation Scholarship alongside Dr. Jim Shockey

(CEOUA South)

Menninger4.2012

Continued...

“…When you’re down and out, When you’re on the

street, When evening falls so hard, I will comfort

you…”

“I first heard about Cochise Cats from the signs

around the Cochise College (Sierra Vista) campus,” Brum-

field said. “With two degrees that would not transfer to a

four-year school, I wasn’t sure what my next step would be

– especially taking into consideration my medical issues. I

saw a few Cochise Cats presentations, did a little more

research, and thought I could benefit from the program.”

Brumfield was enrolled in a computer science class

at Cochise College when he signed up for Cochise Cats.

Through the Cochise Cats initiative, he is on track to earn

his third Cochise College degree, along with a bachelor’s

degree from the University of Arizona South. The overa-

chiever is currently enrolled in a total of 24 hours this se-

mester (10 from Cochise College and 14 from UA South).

He has his sights set on earning a degree in Computer Sci-

ence.

Despite a massive course load and dealing with his

medical issues, Brumfield

still finds time to make a

home life with Tiffany, care

for his parents, volunteer

helping youth and the el-

derly in the community,

while also serving as an

Executive Board Member

at American Legion Post

#52 in Sierra Vista.

“I’m trying to get my life started,” he said. “I want

to help others the way the Cochise Cats staff and faculty

has helped me.”

The recent recipient of the University of Arizona

South Continuing Education Full Tuition Award credits

Cochise Cats for all of his educational success.

“If it wasn’t for Cochise Cats, I would not be at the Universi-ty of Arizona right now,” he admitted. This program is defi-nitely needed. It has enabled me to go to school. Because of Cochise Cats, the transition to a four-year school was very easy. I’m even getting job offers...here at Fort Huachuca. A positive attitude and programs like Cochise Cats is a great way to change the world.”

“…See how they shine, If you need a friend, I’m sailing right behind, Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind…”

Cochise Cats Partnership is a joint-effort between Cochise

College and the University of Arizona which maps out a “pathway to success” allowing students to attend Cochise

College for two years in an approved program that ensures a seamless transition from junior college to the University

of Arizona.

The Cochise Cats initiative provides participants with ac-cess to Cochise College and UA South resources. It in-

cludes joint-advising with assigned academic advisors from both institutions, workshops on career planning, financial aid, wellness and nutrition. It also allows students to be-

come acquainted with UA South students, faculty and staff.

For more information about these and other programs,

go to www.cochisecats.org.

Ten Tips For College Veterans

These tips are courtesy of the National Association of Veterans' Programs Administrators (NAVPA).

These are their ten best suggestions for returning veterans thinking about going to college as

reported to US News and World Report.

1. Start by applying.

2. Meet the School Certifying Official.

3. Get your GI Bill benefits.

4. Apply for financial aid.

5. Apply for scholarships.

6. Find a place to live.

7. Get an advisor.

8. Take the CLEP.

9. Connect with other veterans on campus.

10. Get career training and develop skills.

Jason Brumfield and his father sharing a

moment.

Menninger4.2012

I t is with great pleasure that UA South is able to announce that its application

for membership in SOCAD has been accepted. UA South employees were noti-

fied by Dr. Jim Shockey of UA South in January. There are many people at UA

South who have worked for years to achieve this step. The groundwork had

been laid prior to Dr. Shockey's arrival, but in the past months all necessary

loose ends were tied to achieve SOCAD’s approval. This is an important step,

but it is only the beginning as we expand our commitment to Fort Huachuca, the

Army, and indeed with all military-affiliated students.

What is SOCAD?

The acronym SOCAD stands for "Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Army

Degrees." It is the Army's arm of SOC, which consists of a select group of more

than 100 of the 1,400 SOC colleges. They evaluate a soldier's past learning ex-

periences (college courses, tests, military occupational specialty, Army schools, etc.) and provide the soldier

with a SOCAD Student Agreement that lists credits awarded and those still needed to graduate. If the soldier

relocates and must complete his degree with courses from other colleges, they guarantee to accept transfer

courses from SOCAD colleges without individual approval provided the soldier has a signed Student Agree-

ment from his "home college.”

Why is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Army Degree Student Agreement important?

The SOCAD student agreement gives the soldier a one-time evaluation of everything the soldier has done

that can be credited toward the college degree and lists what the soldier must take to graduate. Additionally,

the Army's Tuition Assistance Policy will not allow more than nine semester hours of Army-funded tuition as-

sistance to be paid unless the soldier has a documented degree plan or SOCAD Student Agreement.

The soldier will not have to be re-evaluated each time he transfers to another post or college. Instead, after

the soldier completes residency (usually 25 percent of the program) with the soldier's home college (the one

that issues the Student Agreement), future courses taken at other colleges will be accepted and applied to-

ward the soldier's original degree plan. When a course is not available under this arrangement or there is no

SOCAD college where the soldier is assigned, the home college must approve courses individually.

How does Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Army Degree system guarantee course transfer?

When colleges join SOCAD, they examine each other's courses and guarantee to accept them. The SOCAD

handbooks list courses whose transfer is guaranteed in this way. When a course is not available under this

arrangement or there is no SOCAD college where the soldier is assigned, the home college must approve

courses individually. Information taken from U.S. Army Human Resources Command Website.

UA SOUTH JOINS SOCAD

www.uas.arizona.edu/military-veterans-services

Menninger4.2012

Celebrating Wildcats:Celebrating Wildcats:Celebrating Wildcats: Past, Present, & FuturePast, Present, & FuturePast, Present, & Future

JOIN US! All students are invited to join us as we

celebrate our past, present, and future Wildcats at our Meet and Greet from 5:00pm—6:00pm.

Come and get information on UA South and become acquainted with UA South alumni, faculty,

staff, and current students.

DATE: Friday, April 20 2012

TIME: 5:00pm to 6:00pm

Douglas Visitors center

345 16th Street, Douglas Arizona For info: aparra@email.arizona.edu

Please join us as we celebrate WILDCATS in Douglas!

UA South UA South UA South Commencement CeremonyCommencement CeremonyCommencement Ceremony

Thursday, May 10, 2012

4:00 pm—Buena High School Sierra Vista, AZ

OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATEOUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATEOUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE

Dana Craig—Pima County April Scriven—Cochise County

OUTSTANDING GRADUATEOUTSTANDING GRADUATEOUTSTANDING GRADUATE

William O-Brien—Cochise County Michael Griffith—Pima County

Follow us: www.twitter.com/cochisecats

CONGRATULATIONS, OUTSTANDING GRADUATES!!!

What is an outstanding graduate?What is an outstanding graduate?What is an outstanding graduate?

The following students were selected because they have

demonstrated scholastic ability, citizenship, leadership, and

promise for the future. They are well-rounded individuals

whose contributions through co-curricular and community

activities and leadership are evident.

Menninger4.2012

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JOIN US!

University of Arizona South

Art and Craft Fair

ALL VENDORS ARE WELCOME

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

AWESOME RAFFLE PRIZES

For more information call 520 458 8278 x 2143

Email: dhoeft@email.arizona.edu

Sponsored by:

SATURDAY, APRIL 28

UA South—Sierra Vista Campus

1140 N Colombo Avenue

10:00am—2:00pm

A FEW SPACES REMAIN

vendors CALL NOW!