Estrella Mountain Community College — Local services in Avondale

I attended Estrella Mountain Community College as a full-time student for two years. My first year went smoothly, but my experience significantly declined after that. For most of my time there, I didn’t have major issues with professors or staff — until my last semester, when I was preparing to transfer.

During that semester, I had problems with Professor Shelley La Bonty, who was unwilling to take accountability for issues that arose. I maintained an A all semester until I experienced submission problems with a final video, for which she failed me. While I can be understanding, her dismissive and confusing communication style made the situation worse. She often backtracked on instructions or was very vague, making it difficult to know exactly what was expected. I later noticed she has received numerous reviews from other students noting her lack of effort in communication.

When trying to discuss issues with students, she does not seem interested in working with them in their best interest — even when the student has demonstrated strong academic performance throughout the semester. I also attempted to contact my advisor, Eva Cruz, for assistance but never received a reply. When I mentioned this to Professor La Bonty, she expressed disapproval of my decision to reach out — even though it was my right as a student.

In addition to these challenges, I faced multiple issues with Estrella’s overall advising and admissions departments. When I called about a course forgiveness application, none of the advisors seemed to know what I was talking about. This lack of knowledge suggests the advisors themselves are poorly informed. At times, I was even assigned student advisors who had not yet completed their degrees, which felt unprofessional and did not inspire confidence.

Estrella needs to invest in faculty and staff who can communicate effectively, provide clear guidance, and avoid putting students at a disadvantage. After transferring to ASU and retaking the one class at Glendale Community College, I experienced a much more organized and communicative...

The level of frustration I have with the financial aid office right now is uncalled for. For two months now, TWO MONTHS I have been attempting to get my financial aid straightened out for the last class I need for my degree. I’ve gone in several times and spoke directly to someone in financial aid, I’ve spoke to someone almost weekly over the phone and now I’m almost two weeks into this class and NOW they tell me I won’t be getting financial aid for this one class. I’ve filled out and had approved form after form, have notifications in my student center stating I will be getting awarded for this class and only this class and now they tell me nope sorry you’re not enrolled in enough credits. What?!!! How many people have opened my account and saw this was the only freaking class I was in?!! Why have me jump through so many hoops if I wasn’t even eligible in the first place? Zero help or communication from anyone in the financial aid department. I urge anyone thinking of going to any Maricopa school to go else where this behavior is consistent across every college within the system. I’m a working single mother, I don’t just have $300 lying around to pay for classes, which is why I applied for financial aid! Thanks for waisting my time and energy for absolutely nothing. I can’t wait to finish this class and finally be don’t with this joke...

One of the worst customer services I've had to deal with.

I bought 15$ dollar headphones and I wanted to return them the same day because they couldn't plug into the school computers.

I had ask (in the most generous way) if I could get my money back and get different headphones. I just wanted to do my homework on the school computers.

Joana (the lady working at the store) stated that " you can't return these headphones. Once you open them you can't refund them". In my head, I thought to myself ' Any student that opens a textbook can't get their money back even if it's the wrong textbook'?

When I first purchased these the same day, she didn't even give me a receipt. she just said thanks & went back on her phone.

However, I walked back into the store and then stated that " On the receipt that you didn't give me the first time coming to bookstore stated that "Non-Textbook items may be returned within 30 days of purchases.

She then stated that "It doesn't cover all scenarios and situations"

She then proceeded to play on her mobile device.

Never go to this bookstore unless you want the employees...