PHOENIX August 12, 2020 — Phoenix College, part of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), is unveiling its plans to open a Maricopa IT Institute in the heart of downtown Phoenix at 640 North 1st Avenue.The IT Institute is a new hub designed to optimize students' needs and is an example of the high-quality programs that Phoenix College offers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. The Grand Opening will be on September 18, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in a virtual format open to the community for live streaming here: https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/live.
"The Maricopa IT Institute will support more than 30 certificate and degree programs in eleven different program areas that will meet workforce needs. This will be a place where new, continuing, or returning students can find and develop their IT skills and be readily employable," says Maria Reyes, Phoenix College’s Dean of Industry and Public Service.
The Maricopa Community College's Workforce Development Office has identified an immense need for information technology training. In Maricopa County, there are at least 21 technology-based occupations that generate 8,750 new positions a year with 87,975 jobs already established. Arizona's information technology employment opportunities are 15 percent above the national average. The MCCCD Workforce Development Office expects the pay in this profession to range from $26.09 to $53.21 per hour with a median earning of $38.60 per hour. Many professions would benefit from the IT institute. Among the professions with job demand and earnings above the median include computer and information systems managers, network architects, network and computer system administrators, software developers (applications and systems software), information security analysts, and computer programmers.
The Maricopa IT Institute at Phoenix College will serve as a collaborative space for all students in Computer Information Systems (CIS) classes, Microsoft Server Technologies (MST), and Information Technology Security (ITS) classes. The IT Institute will help prepare students for Arizona's jobs of the future by utilizing cutting-edge tools that will help students familiarize themselves with vital technology before they enter the job market. The site will also serve as a convening location for workshops, industry advisory groups, meetups and networking functions. Classes will be offered during the day, evening, weekend, and in flexible formats, such as hybrid or online classes.
The Maricopa IT Institute will provide an environment conducive to collaboration among similar programs of study and certificates in these program areas: Programming and System Analysis, Windows Server Administration, Cloud Computing, Desktop Support, Virtualization, Networking, Mobile App Development, Cybersecurity, Linux Administration, Web Development and Design, and A+ Certification.
"Phoenix College has great pride in serving our diverse student body. Go Far Close to Home, isn't just a tagline, it's our commitment to our students. As an institution that has served the Phoenix community for 100 years, we are elated to provide students access to educational and workforce opportunities that reflect an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. The Maricopa IT Institute at Phoenix College is just one example of how we are making an impact and leaving an indelible mark on the Phoenix community," says Dr. Larry Johnson, President of Phoenix College.
If you have questions about the program, would like to talk about potential partnerships, or have an interest in a specialized program for your employees or organization, please contact Maria Reyes, Dean of Industry and Public Service at 602-285-7434 or submit an interest form at https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/iti/industry-interest-form
The IT Institute will open on September 18, 2020. Phoenix College is currently accepting registration for the Fall 2020 semester. If you are interested in enrollment and registration, please contact Phoenix College at 602-285-7777 for more information, or visit us at
https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/become-student/enroll
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Media Contact: Erika Keenan, 602-285-7842, erika.keenan@phoenixcollege.edu
About Phoenix College
Phoenix College is the flagship of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. Phoenix College will be celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2020. The college offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates, and short-term job training to more than 17,000 students annually.
About the Maricopa Community Colleges
The Maricopa County Community College District includes ten regionally-accredited colleges: Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, and South Mountain – and the Maricopa Corporate College, serving more than 200,000 students with two-year degrees, certificates, and university transfer programs.
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