Karl and Aurelia Schroeder Scholarship benefits MCC business students
MESA, Ariz. – Oct. 1, 2018 – Mesa Community College announces the establishment of the Karl and Aurelia Schroeder Endowed Scholarship to assist MCC students pursuing a degree or certificate in business, with preference to students who are the first in their families to attend college.
“Given my personal experience, I am well aware of the challenges in making that first step to pursue a college education,” said Karl Schroeder, a 2017 MCC Hall of Fame honoree and president of the Seattle Division, Albertsons Companies (Safeway).
He credits earning an associate’s degree from MCC in 1987 for putting him on track to earn a bachelor’s degree and rise through the ranks of the food industry.
Today he manages approximately 240 stores in Washington, Alaska and Northern Idaho. Schroeder serves on the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), whose mission is to raise funds for educational opportunities for food industry employees. As a speaker, he shares his story as an example for others, pointing out the benefits of education.
“Early on, I had doors open for me because of just the little education I had, which was an associate’s degree and a certificate,” Schroeder said. “Plus, I picked up important skills I needed for the job. So, I tell them, yes you can be successful in the grocery industry without a degree, but why not get it and move up maybe even faster than I did?”
He said one of the most helpful aspects of his education at MCC was conquering math. His instructor assured him and others who admitted that they didn’t like math that the professor would change that mindset.
“I realized that there were basic formulas I didn’t know and needed to build on,” Schroeder said. “People who know me today say I’m a very analytical person. I learned at MCC that math was not a weakness for me, but a strength. That experience probably changed the trajectory of my career. Getting the basics under my belt took the clouds away and let the sun shine through.”
Schroeder also said that the management concepts he learned at MCC helped him tremendously in his work life and still hold true today.
Students pursuing a degree or certificate in MCC’s Business Program, demonstrating financial need, with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 are encouraged to apply for this scholarship, which is being awarded for the first time this Fall Semester 2018. The scholarship application is available on the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation website, mcccdf.academicworks.com.
Any individual, corporation, foundation, trust, estate or other legal entity may contribute to this fund by contacting Christos Chronis in MCC’s Development Office.
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for service-learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to higher education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution with a diverse student body that enriches the learning experience. Renowned faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and nationally. MCC, located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, is one of 10 colleges comprising the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information visit mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) http://www.ncahlc.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District.
The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.