Coconino Community College Adult Education

Program Overview

CCC's Adult Basic Education for College and Careers Program offers FREE High School Equivalency (HSE) GED Test-prep & English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to residents of Coconino County in multiple modes: in-person, virtual (via Zoom), or online.

Classes are open to anyone at least 16 years old and legally present in the U.S. Our mission is to help individuals develop the skills needed to obtain High School Equivalency and/or use the English-language to enhance daily life and create opportunities to pursue sustainable careers and/or higher education.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

My name is Urvin Yazzie. I was born in a small community called “Whippoorwill" on the Navajo reservation, but I spent most of my childhood in the Spider Rock area near Chinle, Arizona. As a teenager, I dropped out of high school and told myself I would never go back to school. To me, school was a waste of time, so instead of finishing school, I started traveling around working for construction companies and I was able to see and experience new places other than Arizona. When I moved to Flagstaff, I decided to get a high school equivalency through the GED exams because most jobs in town required a diploma.

When no jobs would accept me, due to not having a high school diploma, I realized that I didn't have the necessary skills required to get the kind of job that was appealing to me. I had to compete with others that had more experience than me, but those challenges didn't keep me from trying.

Another challenge that I faced was mental illness. I suffer from depression, which makes me doubt myself every time I try something new. My decision to go back to school was a massive, scary step for me. When I first thought that I was ready to take the test, I thought I would fail, especially the language and writing exam. These thoughts made me lack confidence in myself. I doubted that I would pass that section.

To help boost my confidence, I started researching how to pass the GED and I found out CCC was offering classes, so I applied. When I started with CCC's adult education program, I had no goals in mind because I thought the things I had wanted to do were already accomplished. But fortunately, I noticed a computer class they offered. The computer class sparked my interest/curiosity because I always enjoyed being around technology, especially when fixing them. Through attending this class, I started to gain experience with working on computers, which motivated me to finish my GED.

Once I earned my diploma, I signed up right away at CCC to take classes and earn the required IT certifications. These classes had a huge impact on my career path and boosted my confidence. As I interacted more with my instructors, they encouraged me to get my Associate's Degree. As a result, I accepted the challenge to get an Associate's Degree in Cybersecurity.

At the same time, I also began a position as a student worker for CCC's IT Helpdesk. Once again, my confidence was low, and I thought I would not get the job. However, receiving the call from the IT manager was life-changing news for me. Getting my foot in the door of an IT career boosted my confidence and affirmed my choices to get back into pursuing educational opportunities.

When a job opened up for a full-time CCC IT Help Desk position, I once again doubted that I would get the job, but I now had the confidence and took the chance to apply, even though I was sure there were more qualified people that applied for it. I waited and waited to see the outcome, then I got the notification that I got the job--my career had begun. This journey, which started and continues at CCC, has provided me with valuable experiences. Most importantly, the opportunities to challenge myself and the success I have experienced as a result, have taught me to always take a chance at things because you just never know if you might get selected.

I am thankful for CCC's Adult Education Program, the IT Helpdesk crew, and my course instructors for taking a chance on me throughout my time at CCC. To this day I am working here as a full-time employee. I am an example of where Adult Education and community colleges can take a person regardless of when or how it happens.