City of Avondale | MEDIA RELEASE - Avondale EDGE invites applications for Culinary Scholarships at EMCC

Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Culinary Alum

City of Avondale Public Information Office  | MEDIA RELEASE - Avondale EDGE invites applications for Culinary Scholarships at EMCC

For immediate release: March 29, 2022

View full release online: https://www.avondaleaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2827/768


Avondale EDGE invites applications for Culinary Scholarships at EMCC

The City of Avondale, in collaboration with Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, is inviting students interested in pursuing degrees or certifications in Culinary Arts to apply for the Avondale EDGE Culinary Scholarship.

The scholarship program is open to all current and prospective EMCC students and will assist with tuition, books, equipment, and uniforms. Scholarships will be available for the Fall 2022 semester. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2022.

The City’s Avondale EDGE program worked with Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) Foundation on creating a unique scholarship program. The program is funded through federal dollars the City received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to invest in the community, education and local workforce to assist industries impacted by Covid-19.

“We’re excited to work with EMCC on this innovative scholarship program that goes beyond providing financial assistance to students. It also serves as a pipeline to recruit new skilled talent for the Avondale businesses and restaurants that were hit hard during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ken Chapa, director of the Avondale Office of Economic Development and Tourism. “As Avondale continues to attract more hotels and restaurants, our goal is to create and maintain a strong culinary and hospitality workforce – and what better place to start than with local talent attending culinary school at the college here in our city.”

"It has been wonderful to partner with the City of Avondale in the development of the Avondale Edge Culinary Scholarship. From the beginning, the city has been committed to developing an opportunity that reduces the barriers to education and helps support and strengthens the hospitality and culinary industry in our region. This scholarship opportunity impacts not only the lives of EMCC students but also the City of Avondale residents and businesses. It's an innovative approach to solving a critical workforce need,” said Paula Livingston EMCC’s Dean of Instruction and Occupational Education.