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Maricopa Community Colleges | Boilerplate Copy​

ABOUT MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGES
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Founded as a single college in 1920, today, Maricopa Community Colleges includes 10 regionally accredited colleges across Maricopa County, serving over 220,000 students each year. Sharing a collective vision and community responsibility to offer affordable, quality education to Maricopa County’s diverse population and beyond, we offer thousands of degrees, certificates, and workforce skills training, taught by recognized faculty through flexible in-person and online class formats. 

​As a leader in workforce skills training in Arizona, Maricopa Community Colleges plays a vital role in building and powering Phoenix’s economy through partnerships with business and industry leaders — creating workforce development strategies to prepare employees for high-demand careers in nursing, allied health, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and business and customer services.

Our unique Transfer Pathways partnerships provide students starting their bachelor’s degree a smooth transition to the three Arizona state universities or over 40 additional state and national universities with a course-specific layout — allowing students to complete required courses at a fraction of the cost. 

​We’re Maricopa Community Colleges — we’re in the business of empowering and enriching lives through education. To learn more, visit www.maricopa.edu

MEDIUM
Founded as a single college in 1920, today, Maricopa Community Colleges includes 10 regionally accredited colleges across Maricopa County, serving over 220,000 students each year. Striving to provide affordable, quality education to Maricopa County’s diverse population and beyond, we offer thousands of degrees, certificates, and workforce skills training programs — taught by recognized faculty and delivered in several flexible class formats. 

​As a leader in training Arizona’s workforce, our partnerships with business and industry leaders help power Phoenix’s economy as we create workforce development strategies to prepare employees for today’s high-demand careers. Our unique Transfer Pathways partnerships provide students a smooth transition to a 4-year degree with the three Arizona state universities or over 40 additional state and national universities with a course-specific layout — allowing students to complete required courses at a fraction of the cost. 

​We’re Maricopa Community Colleges — we’re in the business of empowering and enriching lives through education. To learn more, visit www.maricopa.edu 

SHORT
Founded in 1920, Maricopa Community Colleges includes 10 regionally accredited colleges across Maricopa County, serving over 220,000 students each year. Striving to provide affordable, quality education to Maricopa County’s diverse population and beyond, we offer thousands of degrees, certificates, and workforce skills training programs — taught by recognized faculty and delivered in several flexible class formats. Our unique Transfer Pathways partnerships provide students a smooth transition to a 4-year degree with the three Arizona state universities or 40+ additional state and national universities with a course-specific layout — allowing students to complete required courses at a fraction of the cost. 

​We’re Maricopa Community Colleges — we’re in the business of empowering and enriching lives through education. To learn more, visit www.maricopa.edu

Ticketmaster | Human-Interest Article
LIFETIME DREAM REALIZED FOR GREENDAY FAN
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For many of us, we grow up with the dream to sing with our favorite band in front of a live audience, even though we know sadly, the chances of that happening are about as close as winning the multi-million dollar jackpot.

​Not true for Michael Abbatiello, whose dream was realized when he snatched up the opportunity to sing with his favorite band, Green Day. Not only did he meet Green Day’s lead singer and frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong, he was able to get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sing one of their songs onstage during their August 14th, 2010 performance at PNC Bank Art Center in Holmdel,  NJ.

​Michael had no idea what would take place that night as he was getting ready to attend his 15th Green Day concert. As a Sr. Client Support Specialist in the New York City office, the 7-year Ticketmaster veteran was originally going to the show using his Live Nation Pass that gave him access to lawn seats. However, after assisting the box office with a report right before the show,  Michael received upgraded third-row tickets as a thank-you for his time. Needless to say, Michael was ecstatic for the bump up in his view. 

​As Green Day started in with the ever-popular, “Longview”, Armstrong asked the audience who wanted to get on stage and sing the song. Knowing how much it would mean to him, Michael’s girlfriend, Erin, immediately offered Michael up, shouting, “he knows the words! He knows the  words!” Erin apparently caught Billie’s attention because he then chose Michael to come on stage and sing a couple of verses.

“Considering it was my favorite band, I knew this was a moment of a lifetime and something I  would never experience again, something I could tell my kids and grandkids. I was filled with adrenaline. The crowd was cheering me on, being supportive. It was exhilarating.” 

After one verse, reality set in, and Armstrong asked Michael whether he wanted to finish the song and Michael declined, something he regrets now.  

Surprisingly, Michael was too caught up in the moment to be nervous while he was onstage,  although that ended when he got off the stage. “The nerves didn’t kick in until I was finished and realized what just happened…I had imagined my entire life what it would be like to meet them, let  alone have the opportunity to sing on stage.”

Asked if he would do it all over again, he quickly replied without thinking, “In a heartbeat.” And we’re betting that Michael is out buying a lottery ticket now – that multi-million dollar jackpot is looking a lot more attainable.

To check out Michael’s singing debut with Green Day, click this link. His cameo begins about two minutes into the video.