MARICOPA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGES DISTRICT FOUNDATION - LAB LIFE - TOHONO OODHAM 2017.PDF

Last updated: 05/07/2017
General information
Organization Maricopa County Community Colleges District Foundation
Contact First name Barbara
Contact Last name Roberts
Contact e-mail barbara.roberts@domail.maricopa.edu
Contact phone number 4807318417
Address
Street 2419 W 14th St.
City Tempe
State AZ
ZIP Code 85281
From what tribe is the Tohono O’odham Nation
organization requesting the
grant?
Total grant amount request 74,080
1 / 1



2017 Tohono O’Odham Nation Grant Application
Applicant: Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and Glendale Community College
Project Name: LAB-LIFE
Proposal Summary
Maricopa County Community Colleges Foundation and Glendale Community College (GCC) are
requesting $74,080 from the Tohono O’odham Nation in support of an urgent project that aligns
with the Nation’s Education priority: to replace outdated and failing scientific laboratory
instrumentation with industry-standard digitally integrated models. Due to a loss of all state
funding beginning in 2015, GCC is reaching out to the Tohono O’Odham Nation now for help.
Updating the Biotechnology Lab at this time is critical to students’ acquiring today’s modern
undergraduate research skills to not only succeed in class, but to successfully prepare for
internships with TGen and other local research employers, transfer to one of our partnering 4-
year institutions, and to successfully compete for entry-level research jobs. If funded, this
critically urgent upgrade will take place in time for the start of Spring Semester 2018.
a) Explain the perceived need and explain how the proposal will address that need.
The purpose of project LAB-LIFE is to update GCC’s 14-year-old Research Laboratory as part
of Glendale Community College’s commitment to remain true to our mission to provide students
with a world-class learning experience. From the first day of class, time in the Lab plays a
critically important role in student learning. Students gain fundamental research skills and put
these skills to use through controlled research. Local industry, partnering 4-year institutions
(ASU, UofA, NAU and WNMU), and internship providers are expressly concerned that student
lab skills not fall behind industry-standards. The future success of our bioscience student majors
depends on access to contemporary equipment and lab resources.
The Research Lab serves GCC’s STEM programs in Biology, Biotechnology and Molecular
Biosciences. These programs include an integrated two-semester internship with TGen and other
local research employers. Graduates have gone on to careers as medical research lab technicians
and assistants, forensic scientists, and scientists who conduct drug discovery/testing, agricultural
biotechnology, and environmental cleanup and remediation. In 2016 GCC formed a new
partnership with Western New Mexico University to offer GCC students a Bachelor's degree in
Cell and Molecular Biology. Skills and techniques students learned in the program include:
 Cell and tissue culturing
 DNA identification and extraction
 DNA fingerprinting
 Molecular cloning
 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
 Protein isolation and analysis

In addition, with digitally integrated Lab equipment, students will achieve results faster, allowing
them to build upon their findings, one of the most thrilling aspects of research. It is in the Lab
where science students develop their keen observational, critical thinking, and reporting skills.
The LAB-LIFE project directly supports Maricopa Priorities by providing students with a world-
class learning environment, fosters student retention and transfer success, and furthers a history
of collaboration with our university and industry partnerships. Project LAB-LIFE is a result of
tailoring the Biotechnology Lab to prepare students with the requisite level of lab skills in
demand today, to prepare them for their future.
Times have changed, and institutions of higher education must keep current to prepare graduates
to meet today’s workforce demands. The Research Lab upgrade addresses the need to provide
students with modern, in-demand undergraduate research skills. These skills will prepare
students for success on several levels. Modernizing the Research Lab means students in GCC’s
STEM programs in Biology, Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences will be properly
prepared for internships with TGen and other local research employers, be prepared for the rigors
of research being conducted at our partnering 4-year institutions, and be prepared to successfully
compete for entry-level research jobs.
GCC is committed to making world-class education accessible to all students. However, GCC’s
current budget situation is challenging. In March 2015, the Arizona state legislature passed a
budget that eliminated all state funding support for MCCCD. This is a significant, permanent
change in state funding, prompting GCC’s efforts to seek alternative support from like-minded
organizations with a passion for education.
Glendale Community College is asking the Tohono O’odham Nation for $74,080 to overhaul its
Biotechnology Lab by updating our outdated research lab with modern, more efficient and
digitally integrated instrumentation. If funded, this critically urgent upgrade will take place in
time for the start of Spring Semester 2018.
b) Describe the population who will benefit from the proposal if approved.
This project will benefit current and future STEM students enrolled in GCC’s Biology,
Biotechnology, and Molecular Biosciences STEM programs. Glendale Community College
(GCC), a public, associate degree-granting institution, stands as one of the oldest and largest
colleges within the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). MCCCD is
comprised of 10 colleges and two skill centers. Located in Glendale, Arizona, GCC is fully
accredited through The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) / North Central Association. GCC
has educated more than 485,000 students since 1965. GCC’s Vision is to foster student success
by providing innovative, quality learning experiences for all members of the community. GCC’s
Mission is to prepare students for further higher education, employment and advancement, and
successful participation in a global society. GCC is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and
a Veteran Supportive Campus.

c) Include a budget of the requested funds, with the total amount requested clearly notated.
GCC Biotechnology Lab Equipment Budget
Unit
Vendor Cost Number Total Cost
Real-time PCR Thermal Cycler CFX96 Biorad $25,000 1 $25,000
HTX Multi-Mode Microplate Reader FisherSci $17,000 1 $17,000
Signature Benchtop shaking incubator VWR $7,450 1 $7,450
Denaturing Gradient Gel
Electrophoresis VWR $4,609 1 $4,609
Centrivap DNA Concentrator VWR $7,885 1 $7,885
HPLC Detectors UV and Vis Beckman $4,000 1 $4,000
Desktop Autoclave VWR $4,649 1 $4,649
Signature Pipette Controller VWR $99 10 $990
Laboratory Vortexers VWR $305 3 $915
2 Sets of digital micropipettes, 0.5-10,
2-20, 20-200 ul VWR $264 6 $1,582
Total Education Support Requested from Tohono O’odham Nation: $74,080
d) List any other funding requests that have been made for this or substantially related
proposals and provide the status of those requests.
We have made no other funding requests related to this project.
e) Indicate whether the entity has already received a 12% distribution from the Tohono
O’odham Nation or other Arizona tribes, along with the amount and date awarded.
Glendale Community College has not received any part of a 12% distribution from Tohono
O’Odham Nation or any other Arizona tribe.
However, in the past, the Maricopa Community College Foundation (MCCF) has received gift
amounts from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community 12% distribution. In 2016,
MCCF received $75,000 from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community to support
American Indian Outreach. See full “Gift Detail” 5-year report (attached).

f) Identify a designated contact person and alternate contact person for follow-up,
including e-mail address, phone number, mailing address, and fax number for these
persons.
The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF) was established in 1977 as the
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designated by the Maricopa County Community Colleges
District (MCCCD) to receive and manage gifts on behalf of its 10 colleges. The foundation
actively seeks contributions from a variety of private sources including individuals, corporations
and foundations, and believes that everyone has the opportunity to improve their lives through
education. MCCF works to fulfill this vision with its mission to boldly impact the community
through innovative and strategic partnerships for the growth and benefit of the Maricopa
Community Colleges, its students, faculty, and staff.
Designated contact person:
Barbara Roberts
Email: barbara.roberts@domail.maricopa.edu
Phone: (480) 731-8417
Mailing Address: Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation
2419 West 14th Street, Tempe AZ 85281
Fax: (480) 731-8411
Alternate contact person:
Mary O’Connor
Email: mary.oconnor@domail.maricopa.edu
Phone: (480) 731-8403
Mailing Address: Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation
2419 West 14th Street, Tempe AZ 85281
Fax: (480) 731-8411
g) Indicate which priority area the proposal falls under.
“Education” is the priority area this project falls under.
h) If the proposal is from a non-profit organization, include the name of the city, town, or
county an agreement will be made with if funds are granted. A letter from the
governmental entity acknowledging its agreement to work with the non-profit is not
necessary for the initial proposal. However, it is necessary for those non-profits selected to
receive grant funding.
Maricopa County