Today, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) welcomed Dr. Janet Yellen, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury; Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix; John Giles, Mayor of Mesa; and Jack Sellers, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors; to Mesa Community College (MCC). The visit highlighted the importance of investing in workforce development programs that support Arizona’s workforce and economic growth.
During the visit, Yellen toured the college’s state-of-the-art Automated Industrial Technology Lab, participating in a robot/“co-bot” demonstration, and gaining insights into how the college’s programs are preparing students for roles in advanced manufacturing.
Joined by Dr. David Cain, Residential Faculty and Construction Management Program Director, and MCC Construction Trades student Kate Glantz, Yellen observed as Glantz put her technical carpentry skills on display. MCC proudly offers numerous construction trades certificates and degree programs, including a certificate in Construction Trades and associate pathways in Construction Management and Construction Technology. These programs equip students with the theoretical and technical knowledge needed to apply their skills in both residential and commercial settings.
"Before I began the Construction Trades program, I could barely wield a hammer. Now I can build a house–with a little supervision, of course,” said Glantz. “I credit MCC's instructors, modern facilities, and inclusive environment for helping me transition into a new chapter in my career."
Glantz, who returned to college as an adult learner, was looking to reskill and find a new pathway after earning a degree in political science. “We urgently need more stories and examples of women from different backgrounds thriving in the trades," shared Glantz. “To build that pipeline, the language, value proposition, and even the training will look a little different, but it's a small investment when you think about the generational impact it will have on women, their families, and society more broadly.”
Yellen also participated in a collaborative roundtable discussion at the East Valley Jobs Center with local leaders, including Leah Palmer, Executive Director of Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Institute at MCC. The discussion focused on the importance of apprenticeships and other hands-on learning opportunities in preparing students for successful careers.
"On behalf of the Maricopa Community College Governing Board, we are honored to have the Secretary visit our groundbreaking workforce development opportunities for our students here at Maricopa," said Governing Board President Susan Bitter Smith. "The programs we offer continue to serve as a foundational model for community colleges to replicate across America," President Bitter Smith continued. "These programs, opportunities, and degrees would not have been possible without the hard work and excellent staff we are blessed with. It is critical we maintain a strong partnership with the federal government and Administration and that is made evident by Secretary Yellen's visit here today."
As Arizona’s largest workforce training provider, MCCCD partners with government and business leaders to provide students with the education, training, and skills needed to thrive in today’s workforce. MCCCD, with ten colleges and 31 satellite locations strategically located throughout the Valley, offers 600 certificate and degree programs, including bachelor’s degrees. Learn more at Maricopa.edu.