Federal Education Policy Update and Our Commitment to Students

Dear Pima Community College Community,

As you may be aware, President Donald Trump yesterday signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. While the closure of the Department requires congressional approval, this action signals a significant shift in federal education policy. The administration has already taken steps to narrow the agency’s authority and reduce its workforce, and we anticipate further developments in the weeks ahead.

Despite this uncertainty, last week, the U.S. Department of Education Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron issued a letter clarifying the impact of recent staff reductions within the Department. According to the statement, core functions related to federal student aid—including FAFSA processing and student loan servicing—will remain operational and unaffected. Additionally, funding streams for programs that support community colleges, including TRIO, GEAR UP, and Minority-Serving Institutions, will continue as planned.

While these assurances provide some clarity, we recognize that the Department’s possible closure and reduction in the number of employees and programs may still introduce challenges. The Department has indicated that further updates will be provided soon, and we will continue to monitor developments closely and communicate further updates. 

We remain steadfast in our mission to provide accessible, high-quality education to all students. We are committed to ensuring that our faculty, staff, and students have the resources they need to navigate any potential changes in federal policy. As always, we encourage you to stay informed by reviewing the updated FAQs for College Employees on Executive Orders, available at this link or by navigating:

MyPima > Important Information (scroll down the left side navigation menu) > Executive Orders and Related Items.

These FAQs will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. If you have specific concerns or questions, please reach out to your campus vice president, site administrator, or contact Brian Stewart, Chief Cultural Impact Officer, at bstewart@pima.edu.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and our shared mission. As always, we will approach these changes thoughtfully and ensure that our focus remains on what matters most—empowering every learner, every day, for every goal.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey P. Nasse, Ph.D.
Chancellor, Pima Community College
chancellor@pima.edu