Making Education Meaningful, Dr. Stacey Mcennan

COMMUNITY Making Education Meaningful, Dr. Stacey Mcennan

Linda Wright

Stacey Mcennan has called Corte Bella home since 2017. She is a strong advocate for continuing education in the west valley. Her story is rather intriguing and her efforts to help others attain a better education is inspiring. Of the many interesting and innovative people who reside in our community, Stacey is truly one of the finest.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Stacey moved to southern California as an child. She graduated from high school in 1967 and earned her BA at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO. She went on to study for several years through the Fulbright Scholar program at two Bucharest music institutes in Romania. She speaks quietly, but proudly, of smuggling hundreds of bibles into that communist country which took a very dim view of religion at the time. From there, she attended graduate school at UCLA gaining a Master’s Degree in Dance Ethnology. She then added a second Master’s Degree – this one in Education – from Harrison Middleton University. This distance learning program provided her with a non-traditional education degree, something that would inspire her later in her career. To round out her education, Stacey earned a PhD in Anthropology. Then she continued as a Fulbright and IREX scholar studying in Romania. After her marriage, she was on the move, living in five states and finally returning to California. Stacey has a son who remains in that state and a daughter who lives much closer, in the Cottonwood area, here in Arizona. Stacey’s father had a business in Flagstaff and she visited often, making the move to the west valley fairly easy for her. In 1988, Stacey founded The Alexandria Academy. The institution is recognized nationally and internationally as a program that provides tailored educational opportunities to assist students achieve their hopes and dreams that are not always possible through traditional public schools. Dr. Mcennan’s purpose through her academy is to structure study to the student’s individual ability, skill level, and educational goals. For 33 years, she has generously given her time and focus to the academy and its students in five states. This year, she plans to step aside from school management and take on a consultant role with the Academy as “Director Emeritus.” However, Stacey will remain actively involved with the Academy’s Diploma Program for adults at the Dysart Community Center in El Mirage and with another branch soon to be opened in the Verde Valley (Sedona) which will be under her daughter Mindy’s capable direction.

The Diploma Program in El Mirage is a community outreach effort under the direction of Alex Mejia and Annie Ansell, Executive Director. This program is offered to individuals, regardless of age, who have not completed their high school graduation requirements. The program provides them a chance to further their education (college or technical school), to increase their potential for employment, and/or promotion in their field. This non-traditional study program is flexible and adapts to the needs of the student while working towards a certification that is recognized by the state of Arizona. One recent graduate of this program was 69 years old. She needed this diploma in order to keep her employment. Classes at the Dysart Community Center are currently held on Wednesday’s from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. During these two hours, students receives individual tutoring based on their assignments and receive instruction from Dr. Mcennan and other volunteer instructors. One of the instructors is Corte Bella’s own Russ Harris. Russ teaches Civics classes, an Arizona requirement for high school graduation. He also teaches U.S. and World history. There is a great need for volunteers to give presentations on almost any subject matter. Stacey emphasizes the need for these students to be exposed to a variety of material that could promote the desire to learn, to read, and to explore the world around them. If you are interested in helping with this worthy effort, email Dr. Mcennan at smcennan@gmail.com to get more information or to volunteer.

The program at Dysart has annual graduations in which the families of the students participate fully in celebrating this academic accomplishment. Its so heartwarming and inspiring. If you have a skill or knowledge that would enrich the academy’s efforts in El Mirage (a close trip by car from Corte Bella), please let Stacey know. Just ask Russ Harris about how rewarding it is to get involved.