Arizona College Tours
Notes from the Road
College Tours + More: Arizona
I spent a delightful week with my colleague, Susan Skrocki, visiting colleges & universities in Arizona.
⛰️ Northern Arizona University: Woodsy campus in an old-growth ponderosa pine forest. A happy student raved about outdoor vibes, snowboarding, shaded swimming holes and hiking/rafting at the Grand Canyon. Known for Hotel and Restaurant Management, the Western Undergraduate Exchange program makes NAU a good value for students in Western States.
🌎 Prescott College: Small liberal arts college focused on environmental studies, sustainability and social justice, with an experiential, interdisciplinary approach and fields of study instead of majors; students have flexibility to create their own learning path. Students can spend >50% of their time doing field work in Kenya, Mexico, Norway, and the Grand Canyon.
✈️ Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Ideal for students interested in aeronautics, aerospace, aircraft, aviation, space fields; also cybersecurity, data science, forensics. Excellent internships & job prospects with companies like Boeing, United, NASA, FAA, Aerojet, FBI and Homeland Security. Enrolls more men than women, but our female tour guide enjoys the learning environment, with social and academic activities just for women. Draws smart, motivated, outdoorsy, athletic, military-friendly (but not political) STEM students.
☀️Arizona State University: Largest university in the nation "measures success not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed”…I love this! Highly ranked for innovation, sustainability and global impact, ASU is proud of its many campuses and online programs. Well-known for business, engineering, art & design, public administration and journalism. Hosts a top honors program, the residential Barrett, The Honors College. ASU shines for students seeking a huge modern campus, state-of-the art facilities, big city opportunities, abundant sports/recreation, Greek life, and rich social scene.
🌵University of Arizona: Beautiful and serene - traditional brick buildings, shady trees, a wide, grassy Mall running down the center of campus. Old Main, with its deep porches & rocking chairs, is where students used to hitch their horses before attending class. Now UA boasts state of the art aerospace engineering facilities, Ansel Adams-founded Center for Creative Photography, and a selective honors program. Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and, yes, the street tacos are off the charts.
🎓 Bonus: University of Arizona SALT Center : We joined a group of Arizona-based IECs for an open house and tour of the SALT Center, a nationally-recognized, fee-based educational support model for students with mild to moderate learning and attention challenges. Services include individualized learning plans, strategies instruction, tutoring, workshops and psychological services. Separate application required.
🏜️ Extra Bonus: two days in Sedona soaking up the sun, swimming in the creeks, hiking and balancing our chakras on the vortexes!
University of Arizona: Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat (and Liz)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Air Traffic Control Lab
Arizona State University
Prescott College
While in Arizona (some recommendations):
Agave House, 943 East University Boulevard, Tucson
As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Tucson in known for its culinary heritage and chef-focused restaurants. Agave House specializes in Mexican cuisine, and their street tacos are amazing!
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona really impresses with natural beauty, scenic vistas, pristine environment and cultural heritage. I recommend hiking at Cathedral Rock (bring a swimsuit to cool off in the creek), enjoying delicious Mexican cuisine at Elote Cafe, and browsing for used books at the sweet little Friends of the Sedona Library Used Bookstore.