Biography

Prescott “Pres” Winslow first came to Arizona in 1965, when he served for two years as a member of VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), sometimes nicknamed the “domestic Peace Corps.” Pres conducted his service in a small village on the Gila River Indian Community south of Phoenix. He maintains friendships with its residents to this day.

After completing his undergraduate degree in 1970, Pres returned to Arizona and worked as an employee of the Gila River Indian Community’s tribal government for two and a half years, rising to head the tribe’s Community Services Department at the age of 27.

After living and working in Seattle for almost 30 years, Pres returned to Arizona in 2005, selecting Winslow as his new “hometown” in April of 2006.

Pres holds a master’s degree in career development counseling and has 17 years of professional experience as a career and employment counselor. He has assisted at-risk youth, immigrants and refugees, laid-off Boeing workers, homeless women, individuals transitioning off of public assistance, as well as college students and recent college graduates.

Pres is passionate about encouraging students to dream big and aim high, and then supporting them with the services they will need to achieve their ambitious dreams. He recently founded a non-profit organization called the Center for Career and College Advising, through which he provides free career and educational advising to people of all ages, with a special focus on junior- and senior-high students and their parents.

Pres has been an active volunteer with the Winslow public schools for the past three years. He earned the award for Outstanding Community Volunteer two years running for his work as a tutor at Winslow Junior High. During the 2009-2010 school year, he was a math tutor in six different classrooms at Washington Elementary School, and co-facilitated a 7-week unit on college and career readiness at Winslow High School.

Pres is a strong advocate for increased state funding for public education at all levels. From his work as a career and employment counselor, he has first-hand knowledge of the direct link between education and earning power, and between workforce development and economic development.

In addition to his volunteer work with Winslow public schools, Pres is active in the Winslow Historical Society, the Winslow Chamber of Commerce, and serves as an advisor to the Bread of Life Mission in Holbrook, a faith-based emergency shelter and rehabilitation center.

One of the historical figures Pres most admires is Abe Lincoln. Among many quotable quotes from our 16th President, Pres tries to live by this one: “He has the right to criticize, who has the heart to help.” Modern translation: If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

As a State Representative from Legislative District 5, Pres intends to be part of the solutions to the many challenging problems our state faces as it approaches its 100th birthday in 2012.