PHOENIX, AZ, May 11, 2020 — Âû²ÝÉçÇø 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 Âû²ÝÉçÇø 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 Âû²ÝÉçÇø College offers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education.
"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, Âû²ÝÉçÇø 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 Âû²ÝÉçÇø 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.
"Âû²ÝÉçÇø 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 Âû²ÝÉçÇø 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 Âû²ÝÉçÇø College is just one example of how we are making an impact and leaving an indelible mark on the Âû²ÝÉçÇø community," says Dr. Larry Johnson, President of Âû²ÝÉçÇø 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 /iti/industry-interest-form
The IT Institute is expected to open in August 2020. Âû²ÝÉçÇø College is currently accepting registration for the Fall 2020 semester. If you are interested in enrollment and registration, please contact Âû²ÝÉçÇø College at 602-285-7777 for more information, or visit us at
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Media Contact: Erika Keenan, 602-285-7842, erika.keenan@phoenixcollege.edu
About Âû²ÝÉçÇø College
Âû²ÝÉçÇø 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. Âû²ÝÉçÇø 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, Âû²ÝÉçÇø, 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.