📋 Tasks

• Create a Module plan. #done

📋 Tasks

• Checking in—How did it go? #done

Submission Deadlines

Simple Syllabus Users

If you use Simple Syllabus, you do not need to submit your syllabus separately, as we have access to the repository. For those who have not yet tried it, Simple Syllabus is a great tool that simplifies syllabus creation and filing. A CTL guide is included for your reference, and we strongly encourage you to explore it.

Office/Lab Hours Submission

What to do this Week

1. Respond to the AWS welcome email.
2. Know where learning happens: All videos, labs, and quizzes are delivered in AWS Canvas (separate from MCC Canvas). I will manually update grades in MCC Canvas weekly; always check AWS Canvas for your most current scores.
3. Complete all required items in Module 0 and Module 1.
4. You must complete all required items in each module before moving on to the next module.
5. Activate your free AWS Skill Builder Offer.

Important Dates

Refund deadline: 26 January 2026
Withdrawal (no instructor permission): 10 February 2026

Time Expectations

This is a fast-paced course. Plan at least 3 hours per week on readings and labs.

Materials and Costs

All required instructional materials are provided online by Amazon Web Services at no cost. An optional resource is AWS Skill Builder for extra practice.

Grading and Key Requirement

Quizzes and labs (in AWS Canvas) are graded. The Course Assessment serves as the final; a 70% or higher is required to earn the AWS badge of completion.

Getting Help

I’m here to support your success. You may contact me via the Canvas Inbox.

I look forward to working with you this term and helping you build a solid foundation in cloud computing.

Sincerely,

Dennis Kibbe

Course Overview

Over the course of the next 16 weeks we will dive deep into the world of AWS services using a real world business model. Our journey will involve instructional videos from AWS, hands-on labs, and Knowledge Checks (quizzes) designed to help prepare you to take the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam and enhance your understanding of how cloud computing can serve a real business need.

Getting Started

1. Course Materials: The AWS Academy provides all study material and access to the AWS Management Console to you at no charge.
2. Online Platform: We will be using two different Canvas instances (MCC and AWS) for all our course materials, assignments, and announcements. Look for an email from AWS inviting you to log into their Canvas LMS.
3. First Class: Our first meeting will be on Thursday, 22 January at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
4. Questions: If you have any questions please use the Inbox in Canvas to message me.

Important Dates

• Withdrawal with refund: 28 January 2026
• Withdrawal without Instructor permission: 11 March 2026

Open Door Policy

Your success and well-being are paramount. Should you have any questions, concerns, or just wish to discuss the material further, my office hours are posted on my contact page. Alternatively, feel free to message me through Canvas to set up a meeting outside of these times.

A Few Parting Words

This class is not just about grades or fulfilling credit requirements; it's an opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in cloud computing. Embrace the challenges, engage with your peers, and never hesitate to ask questions. Together, we will make this a memorable and enriching experience!

Looking forward to seeing you all soon. Here's to a fruitful and exciting semester!

Warm regards,

Dennis Kibbe

The numbers tell a concerning story. Proposed postsecondary cuts include

• Arizona Promise Program from $54 million to $25 million
• Arizona Teacher’s Academy from $24 million to $17.5 million
• Community College Promise Program from $3 million to just $830,000

These proposed cuts will directly reduce access, slow completion, and shrink the pipeline of educators and skilled workers our state desperately needs. This sends a clear message to current and prospective Arizona employers that if you want high-skill workers, you will likely need to find at least some of them outside of Arizona. The programs mentioned above have proven they can lower costs for students, increase credential attainment, and strengthen Arizona’s workforce from within. Doing the minimum of maintaining funding would preserve momentum; expanding it could dramatically accelerate progress toward closing attainment gaps and meeting workforce needs, helping the state reach the Achieve60AZ goal. Instead, this proposed budget asks students, educators, and communities to do more with far less.

Years from now, Arizona may look back at this budget proposal and legislative session wondering why we failed to act when the stakes were so clear. We can still choose a different path—one that invests in the education system capable of producing the homegrown workforce our economy depends on to advance the quality of life for all Arizonans. Earlier we said inaction comes at elected officials’ peril because our polling clearly shows voters want action but the problems do not stop there. Potential cuts like these place the collective future of the state at risk because of the impact on our future economy, including the business community, the non-profit sector and the education community.

Take Action: Contact your state elected officials and urge them to fund postsecondary education programs that are proven to work in the final budget later this spring.

Contact Your Arizona Elected Officials

The Governor’s Proposed FY 2027 Budget – What you need to know