 |
Steve Saffron
started working at
Scottsdale Community College
in 1975 when the college enrolled only 28 Native American students.
As Director of the American Indian Program he was instrumental in
developing a staff of five people, and in 1979
raised $199,000 to create and launch the Tribal Management Program.
In 1985 Steve created the first
Friendship Class and the
first Laughter, Humor and
Play Class in the nation for college credit. He taught
those classes to a wide variety of students for ten years. Recently,
the Salt River Pima/Maricopa Indian Community honored him with the
“Devoted and Distinguished
Service” award
for over twenty years of educational service with the community. |
| |
|
|
Steve has been a national trainer and
motivational speaker since 1989. Steve’s keynotes and workshops have
earned him the Phoenix
Choice award for community service, and the
Leadership
Inspiration award from
the Arizona Future Business Leaders of America. In 1992 the Maricopa
Community College District recognized Steve with the
“Humor Expert in Residence”
award for his expertise in Using Laughter Humor, and Play to Promote
Creativity and Learning. The District has ten community colleges
throughout the greater
Phoenix
area and is the largest Community College District in the country
with over 275,000 students. |
 |
|
| |
|
 |
In November 2003, Dr. Arthur W.
DeCabooter, President of Scottsdale community College honored Steve
with the “Faculty
Emeritus” distinction for his professionalism and
outstanding contributions to the college. Dr. Rufus Glasper,
District chancellor recognized Mr. Saffron’s exemplary legacy with
the following statement: “On behalf of the Governing Board and the
entire district, I wish to congratulate and honor you for your dedication and accomplishments in teaching and learning during your
long and distinguished career as a full-time faculty member with the
Maricopa Community Colleges.” |
|
| |
|
In January 2005 Steve retired from
the Maricopa District and now works full-time as a professional
speaker throughout the country. Steve now does over 100
presentations annually. His mission in life is to help people
lighten up and grow personally and professionally. |
| |
| |
| Life & Work Experience |
|
●
|
High School Counselor, Alchesay Apache High School,
Whiteriver, Arizona, and Mesa Public Schools, in
Mesa, Arizona |
|
●
|
Full-Time Faculty, College Instructor & Counselor,
Scottsdale, Az. |
|
●
|
Army Finance (Viet Nam) |
|
●
|
Entrepreneur and President of Saffron Perspective,
Inc. |
|
●
|
Cosmetologist |
|
●
|
Farmer and Fisherman |
|
●
|
Raised three kids and now have 8 wonderful
grandchildren. |
|
| Honors |
|
●
|
Distinguished & Devoted Service, Salt
River Indian Community |
|
● |
Phoenix Choice Award, City of Phoenix |
|
● |
Leadership Inspiration Award, Future
Business Leaders of America |
|
● |
Humor Expert in Residence, Maricopa
Community Colleges |
|
● |
Faculty Emeritus, Maricopa Community
Colleges |
|
● |
Arizona School Counselors Award, Arizona
Counselors’ Academy |
|
| |
|
| Education |
|
● |
Graduated Phoenix Union High School |
|
● |
Associate Degree, Mesa Community College |
|
● |
Bachelors Degree, Arizona State University
Major:
Sociology and Education |
|
● |
Master Degree, Arizona State University
Major:
Counseling and Student Personnel Work |
|
| |
|
|
Advanced Areas of
Study |
|
●
|
Values Realization |
|
● |
Laughter,
Humor & Play |
|
● |
Wellness,
Self-Esteem & Empowerment |
|
● |
Customer
Service |
|
|
|
|
