This community-based initiative brings together representatives from K–12 and postsecondary education, business and industry, nonprofits, and the Town of Sahuarita to pursue a shared vision and leverage resources so that all students have access to college and career readiness programs and receive two years of paid tuition at Pima Community College. The initiative exemplifies the SUSD mission, “Working as a Team to Help Every Student Succeed.”
Sahuarita Times: Sahuarita WINS!
Postsecondary Completion
Education and Workforce Development Roundtable
The Education and Workforce Development Roundtable is a centralized body reporting to the City Council that streamlines and coordinates efforts to advance Mesa’s education and workforce development goals, including but not limited to:
- Increasing and maintaining enrollment in education programs, including in early childhood, vocational, trade, and postsecondary education programs.
- Improving completion rates of education, vocational, and trade programs.
- Achieving higher educational attainment, including increased attainment of professional certifications and licenses and postsecondary degrees.
- Expanding job opportunities.
- Building successful careers, a competitive workforce, and a strong local economy.
- Providing equitable access to work and learning opportunities, resources, and support so that all can participate, prosper, and thrive in Mesa’s vibrant community and workforce.
The Roundtable works in partnership with experts in education, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and Mesa residents to advance these goals.
Mesa College Promise
The Mesa College Promise is a commitment from the City of Mesa to its residents that all eligible graduating high school students can attend Mesa Community College for two years with Arizona resident tuition and fees fully funded. Students must be Mesa residents, show financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and have at least a 2.0 grade point average. The program is supported by funding from corporations, businesses, and a match from the City of Mesa.
City of Casa Grande Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan guides decision-making and resource management in pursuit of organizational goals. It is “strategic” in the sense that it provides guidance over a 2-year timeframe. The strategic plan is actively reviewed and updated periodically by the City Council and management to ensure that the goals, strategies, and actions remain relevant. The plan prioritizes six areas: financial stability and sustainability, community connection, community enhancement, economic expansion, education and workforce advancement, and healthy and safe community environment. Casa Grande will continue to have success because the organization is flexible enough to respond to local, national, and global change.
Fountain Hills Cares
The Town will continue our Fountain Hills Cares Series with “Social Media and Mental Health Issues,” featuring experts on how social media platforms affect youth and how parents can stay in touch with their children. According to the Pew Research Center, 81% of American teens use social media, putting a large population at an increased risk of feeling anxious, depressed, or ill over social media use, thus affecting all aspects of their lives. Partners for this event include the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and Salt River Schools.
Yuma Multiversity Campus
Mayor Nicholls’s vision to enhance accessibility to higher education culminates in plans for the Yuma Multiversity Campus (YMC). Mayor Nicholls serves as chairman of the YMC’s Governing Board, which includes multidisciplinary industry leaders from throughout the community who are working to develop a centralized campus in Yuma. The YMC will offer a full range of baccalaureate programs, utilizing the academic programs and specialties offered by the state universities and local community colleges.
