The Mohave College Early College department presented at the AZTransfer Conference in Fort McDowell, AZ. From left to right: Caitlin Morris, Tiffany Gaffney and Imelda Felix.
MOHAVE COUNTY – The Mohave College Early College employees captured attention and sparked meaningful dialogue at a statewide higher education conference in Fort McDowell with a presentation that merged creativity, collaboration and student success.
The conference was hosted by AZTransfer, a statewide organization that helps ensure students can smoothly transfer from community colleges to Arizona’s public universities and complete bachelor’s degrees efficiently.
The Early College team focuses on expanding equitable access to higher education by partnering with school districts and community organizations to provide students with clear, supported and personalized advising pathways that help them earn college credit early and transition successfully to postsecondary education.
Using a live, interactive “paint and sit” demonstration inspired by Bob Ross, the team transformed Early College pathways into a visual representation of how partnerships and support systems help students succeed across Mohave County.
As one team member painted a landscape in real time, others explained the meaning behind each element. The presentation showed how collaboration, planning and shared vision create clear, accessible pathways for students to start college early and succeed.
“Presenting for the first time as a team reminded us why we do this work,” said Tiffany Gaffney, director of Early College. “When we bring creativity, collaboration and heart together, we create pathways that help students see what’s possible and take that first step.”
The presentation began with a blue sky symbolizing the foundation of Early College, including access, partnerships and collaboration focused on student success.
Stars represented internal support systems, including institutional investment such as the Early Start Scholarship, along with student success initiatives and targeted support.
Mountains symbolized partner school districts across the region, highlighting how collaboration expands access and opportunity. Partnerships such as Summit Academy with Kingman Unified School District allow some students to attend Mohave College full time while still in high school.
The iconic “happy little trees” represented community and education partners that help students grow, including AZTransfer, WAVE, JTED, faculty, advisers, local businesses and community organizations.
Programs such as Bighorn Trek and Multiple Avenues for Successful Health Careers, or MASH, demonstrated how education connects directly to career pathways through hands-on learning and real-world exposure.
A flowing river illustrated how students move through Early College pathways, from dual and concurrent enrollment to transfer opportunities such as Advanced Placement, College-Level Examination Program and other credit options.
The presentation concluded with the unveiling of a completed painting, representing the collective effort behind student success. Attendees were encouraged to reflect on their own programs and identify ways to strengthen collaboration and improve student outcomes.
By combining creativity with strategy, the Mohave College Early College team showed that student success is intentionally built through strong partnerships, thoughtful planning and a shared commitment to students.
