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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.
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: [email protected]
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.
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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: [email protected]
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!