Nestled just north of the Pinaleño Mountains, the small town of Thatcher is home to Arizona’s oldest community college.
“It is the first Community College in the state of Arizona. We've been here since 1888,” said Kris McBride, director of Marketing and public relations at the Eastern Arizona College (EAC).
In 2024, college President Todd Haynie announced the school would begin offering four bachelor’s degree programs.
Among the first graduates was Richard Quinlan, who earned a bachelor’s degree in pre-professional health sciences.
“[President Haynie] had announced the bachelor's program to all of the students. And I remember being there and thinking ‘whoa, that's cool, a four-year program at a two-year junior college. That's interesting,’" Quinlan said.
Quinlan, who is from Eager, Arizona enrolled at Eastern Arizona College in 2022 intending to earn an associate degree. He later transitioned into the new four-year program.
Aaron Burk, dean of health sciences, advised all four students who graduated with bachelor’s degrees this year.
“For the four of them to go across the stage to get those bachelor's degrees — besides being a historic moment for the college — it felt like one of those landmark moments of my life,” Burk said. “It’s been a pleasure for me to be involved in advising them.”
Quinlan, the youngest of eight siblings, said it was rewarding to follow in his family’s footsteps at the college while becoming the first to earn a bachelor’s degree.
“It's always been a stepping stone,” Quinlan said. “Now it's just a little bit bigger.”
McBride said the milestone is significant for both Graham County and Arizona. In 2021, then-Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation allowing community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degree programs.
Community colleges in Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott have since launched bachelor’s programs. Quinlan said Eastern Arizona College is the first in the state to graduate students with bachelor’s degrees in health sciences.
Quinlan graduated on Friday May 8 alongside 635 other students.
The other health sciences graduates specialized in athletic training, paramedicine and radiologic technology.
Burk and McBride said they hope the college will continue expanding its bachelor’s degree offerings, with two additional programs awaiting approval.
