Cochise Newsroom

As we approach the end of the year, it’s important to pause and reflect on what we have achieved together. In the constant momentum of each semester, it can be easy to overlook just how far we have come and how profoundly our work changes lives.

 

Throughout my career, I have seen the lasting impact that great educators and staff have on students. They shape futures, provide encouragement when it’s needed most, and keep students connected to possibilities long after they leave the classroom.

One of the highlights of 2025 was spending time with our Student Leadership Academies on both the Douglas and Sierra Vista campuses. Hearing students share their aspirations reminded me, once again, why our mission matters. At Cochise College, we see transformation happening every day. Our students are striving, persisting, and discovering new purposes, and I am constantly inspired by them.

As president, I have the front-row seat to the dedication, compassion, and teamwork that define Cochise College. Faculty and staff arrive with purpose and passion, fulfilling our mission to provide inclusive and accessible education that supports social responsibility, community engagement, meaningful careers, and lifelong learning. Education is more than a pathway; it can strengthen communities and expand economic opportunities. Here, students have a place where they belong, a place where they can grow, achieve, and thrive.

 

Despite the challenges facing higher education, Cochise College remains strong and is moving forward with confidence. I encourage you to explore our Year in Review at cochise.edu. to see the momentum for yourself.

A few highlights from this past year include:

 

• Welcoming our first cohort of bachelor’s degree students, who will celebrate commencement in May.
• Expanding housing at the Sierra Vista Campus.
• Enhancing spaces on the Douglas Campus with new classrooms and student study pods.
• Being named the #1 Community College in Arizona and 38th nationally, in SmartAsset’s 2025 rankings of two-year colleges across the United States.

We also celebrated extraordinary student achievements in athletics:

 

• Our women’s soccer team captured its first Region 1 Championship title and made a trip to the national tournament.
• Three former baseball players were selected in the MLB draft.
• Our rodeo team earned a second consecutive Grand Canyon region championship.

As I look forward to the year ahead, I am excited about what 2026 will bring. We anticipate continued development of programming, including new courses in artificial intelligence, and expanding opportunities that equip students not just for today but for the future.

 

Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the honor of serving as the college’s president.  Thank you for your commitment to our mission and for the remarkable progress we achieved together this year. I cannot wait to see what the next chapter brings, because at Cochise College, student success truly is around every corner.

 

Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday season.

 

James D. Perey, EdD, is the president of Cochise College.