Left to right: Paul Ross, Associate Vice President Chief Information Officer at Phoenix College; Don Graves, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce; and Dr. Kimberly Britt, President of Phoenix College.
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) welcomed the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves to GateWay Community College (GWCC) and Phoenix College (PC), with the aim of understanding and highlighting impactful initiatives that assist underserved communities.
While at Phoenix College, Graves toured a state-of-the-art 3D printing lab and participated in a roundtable discussion on the significant impact the college is making through the Broadband Transforming Minority Community Project. As part of the $4.2 million IT grant, PC is expanding high-speed campus-related internet access, and IT training and staffing. During the spring semester, PC has launched a wrap-around strategy, deploying laptops to underrepresented students and expanding campus broadband capacity. As part of the project, PC will also establish on-and off-campus coworking sites to support online and hybrid learners. The goal of the Broadband Transforming Minority Community Project is to increase awareness, access, education, and workforce experiences in the surrounding Phoenix area.
During his visit to GWCC’s Central City campus, Graves participated in a roundtable discussion with Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) leaders, state officials, community-based organizations, and students. The collaborative conversation emphasized the involvement of HSIs in expanding access to postsecondary education and how graduates help address workforce gaps in key sectors, contributing to economic growth and innovation. Across 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, there are 600 federally recognized HSIs. Within MCCCD, each of the system’s ten colleges are recognized as HSIs.
Graves’ visit to GWCC and PC marks yet another visit from a national leader. In January, Under Secretary of Education, James Kvaal visited GWCC, touring the college’s healthcare programs and facilities. In February 2023, the First Lady of the U.S., Dr. Jill Biden, joined MCCCD and local leaders to celebrate the innovative Mesa College Promise program at Mesa Community College.
As one of the largest community college systems in the nation, MCCCD continues to spearhead initiatives that elevate community colleges on both state and national levels while remaining focused on its mission of providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to all students.