Pima Community College: A Hub of Education and Achievement

Pima Community College (PCC), established in 1969, stands as a public community college serving the Tucson metropolitan area. With a district comprising five campuses, four education centers, and several adult education learning centers, PCC offers a wide array of traditional and online instruction across more than 144 programs. Beyond traditional academic pursuits, the college provides workforce training, non-credit personal interest classes, and post-baccalaureate certificates.

Historical Overview

The genesis of PCC can be traced back to 1966 when voters in Pima County approved the creation of a junior college district. The first classes commenced in 1969 at temporary locations, including an airplane hangar at Tucson International Airport, Tucson Medical Center, Villa Maria, and Marana.

Campuses and Learning Centers

From its initial location at what is now the West Campus, Pima Community College has expanded to meet the educational needs of the Tucson area. The campuses and learning centers offer traditional classroom, distance learning, and hands-on learning opportunities.

Community Campus: Opened in 1975 to meet non-traditional educational needs, including distance learning, non-degree activity classes, and adult education. In 1997, the campus moved to Bonita Avenue and Commerce Park Loop, near St. Mary's Road and Interstate 10. The campus was home to the teacher education program.
Desert Vista Campus: First established as the South Education Center in 1986, the Desert Vista campus moved to its present location in 1993. The campus is located at Valencia Viejo, a site once occupied by the Hohokam people, between Irvington Road and Valencia Road on Calle Santa Cruz, west of Interstate 19.
Downtown Campus: Opened in 1974, the Downtown Campus is situated between Speedway Blvd. and Drachman Street on Stone Avenue, close to downtown Tucson and east of Interstate 10. It has traditional academic, occupational, technical, and trade programs.
East Campus: In 1976, the college established the East Learning Center, which became East campus in 1981 with the construction of a new facility located on 58 acres (23 ha) of land at Irvington Road and Fred Enke Drive, near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The College East Campus Observatory was established in 1989 by Professor David G. Iadevaia, and it includes the Pima College - East Campus observatory and teaching planetarium.
Northwest Campus: In 2003, the Northwest Community Learning Center (established in 1998) became the Northwest campus, the newest PCC campus. The 50-acre (20 ha) campus is located on Shannon Road, between Ina and Magee roads in north Tucson.
West Campus: The oldest Pima Community College campus, West campus is located on 267 acres (108.1 ha) of land between Anklam Road and Speedway Blvd., west of Interstate 10. The campus was opened in 1970. Facilities located at West Campus include the Center for Archaeological Field Training, the Center for the Arts in addition to the offices of The Pima Post newspaper and Cababi literary magazine. The campus is home to the college's programs in health-related professions.

Academic Programs and Opportunities

Pima Community College offers a wide range of academic programs and opportunities for its students.

Academic Courses

Academic courses of study include more than 180 occupational and transfer programs. The college’s aviation technology program is sanctioned by the Federal Aviation Administration. Students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher may apply to enter the Honors Program. Successful candidates must take HON 101: Honors Coloquium and sign an Honors Contract.

Read also: Affording Pima Medical Institute

Catholic University Partnership

In 2019, PCC entered into a partnership with the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., working with local business leaders, Education Design Lab, and Extension Engine to develop the curriculum for the program.

Transfer Opportunities

In 1999, Arizona approved the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) for students transferring from an Arizona community college to one of the three state universities.

Student Life and Activities

Pima Community College provides a vibrant student life with various activities and organizations.

Student Government Association

The college has a Student Government Association that serves as the voice of the student body on campus.

Student Groups and Clubs

There are dozens of student groups and clubs on campuses, as well as a student newspaper and literary magazine. For students with academic interests in video production, there is an in-house television station, PCCTV.

Read also: Navigating Pima Scholarships

Performing Arts

Performing arts plays a significant part of the student life on campus. The college has the Chorale which is a mixed-voice choir. The Wind Ensemble performs on tour as well as on special events. Acoustic jazz is performed by the Jazz Ensemble at different events that take place in the State of Tucson.

Athletics

The athletics teams participate as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association in the Arizona Community College Athletic Association. The teams go by the nickname of Aztecs. The college fields teams in varsity sports like basketball, softball, soccer, and tennis. There are more than 15 teams for intercollegiate sports.

Notable Alumni

While specific information on notable alumni from Pima Community College is limited in the provided text, the college has undoubtedly contributed to the success of many individuals in various fields. Further research would be needed to compile a comprehensive list of notable alumni.

Accreditation

PCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Additionally, many medical programs, including nursing or veterinary technology, have additional specialized accreditation by the Arizona and United States Departments of Education.

Publications

The Pima Post is the student newspaper of Pima Community College, now a student-run online news service covering all six campuses. SandScript is a literary magazine.

Read also: Funding Challenges at Pima

Administration

PCC is governed by a five-member board of governors, whose members serve six-year elected terms. The governing board of the Pima County Community College District has five members elected by the voters from geographical districts within Pima County. Jeffrey P. is the current chancellor.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Admissions are open, with the basic requirement being a high school diploma or GED certificate. Pima offers enrollment to international students as well, requiring a special application form and Affidavit of Financial Support form. After assessment and evaluation, students attend an orientation program followed by counseling and advising sessions. The financial aid office assists students in creating economic plans to fund their education, with the first step being the application for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Frequently awarded forms of aid include the Federal Work Study Program, FFEL Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and PLUS Loans.

Community Programs

PCC offers many community-related programs to support the needs of the Tucson metropolitan area. It provides GED and adult literacy classes, art and theater, senior facilities, and summer camps.

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