@PimaNews

April 23, 2026

College Updates
- Join the Commencement Team for the May 20 Ceremonies
- Commencement Regalia on Sale for Faculty
- Celebrate Our Students at HSE Graduation June 4
- Help Us Amplify Student Voices
- Media Production Extends Turnaround Times
- April 24 Deadline for College Compliance on Digital Accessibility
- Enroll in Documentation 101 on April 24
- Tucson Poetry Festival April 25
- 2026-2027 Benefits Open Enrollment Runs through April 27
- AI Community of Practice, Play Update April 28
- Nominations Due April 29 for Student Life Leadership Awards
- Literary Icon Moraga Gives RRG Lecture April 30
- Pima Hosts AZ NOSS Chapter Annual Conference May 1
- Minor Policy, Procedure Updates on View
- Cababi Awards May 14 at Downtown Campus
- Biometric Screening Equals Healthy Rewards Points
- Start Planning Your 2027-2028 Sabbatical Proposal
- Call to Present at Teaching Strategies Workshop
- Give Feedback on Proposed Employee Handbook Revisions
- Pima Foundation Golf Tourney, May 30
- Find Career Opportunities on Pima’s Jobs Webpages
- Share Your Suggestions with ODR
- Get Help with Your Community Engagement
Pima Arts News
Pima Athletics News
Employee Wellness
- Sign Up for Virtual Workshops and Challenges

College Updates

Join the Commencement Team for the May 20 Ceremonies

The Commencement Committee needs a mighty team to assist at the College’s two commencement ceremonies on May 20. Ceremonies start at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To help ensure a celebratory, low-stress experience for our 2026 graduates and guests, consider pitching in ushering, guiding graduates and faculty, or checking in graduates.

Because the College will be open that day:

Staff members should check in with their supervisor to arrange their reassignment to the TCC for the day.
Supervisors are urged to extend reasonable professional flexibility to allow their team members to participate. See the Chancellor’s Pima-all email of April 6 for reference.

You can sign up to help in any of these roles – and at one or both ceremonies – by completing this form, which has details on duties and time commitments. Everyone who pitches in at one of the ceremonies will receive two Pima Healthy Rewards points.

Commencement Regalia on Sale for Faculty

Pima faculty can place 2026 Commencement cap and gown orders at any Pima Bookstore or online. Prices range from $100 to $162.

If you have questions about availability or ordering, email sm8471@bncollege.com.

Commencement Day 2026 is May 20, with ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Celebrate Our Students at HSE Graduation June 4

Pima employees are encouraged to celebrate our graduates at this year’s High School Equivalency Graduation, 6:30 p.m., June 4 at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall at Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.

If you or someone you know has recently passed the GED test and received their HSE diploma, and would like to attend, RSVP today.

If you have questions, email adulted@pima.edu.

Help Us Amplify Student Voices

Pima’s marketing is putting real students front and center to showcase their unique Pima journeys and let their voices shine. Know a student or alum who’d be a great fit? Encourage them to fill out this short form! They can share as much about themselves as they’d like and let us know which marketing projects interest them. With your help, we can feature more students and highlight the wide range of academic paths, interests and goals that make our Pima community so diverse. If you have questions, contact marketing@pima.edu.

Media Production Extends Turnaround Times

The College’s Media Production team is currently managing a high volume of requests during a period of staffing transition. As a result, turnaround times for new projects may be longer than usual, typically three weeks or more.

The team will make every effort to accommodate time-sensitive needs; however, expedited or rush requests cannot be guaranteed at this time. To help ensure the best possible support, we encourage you to submit detailed project requests as early as possible when planning upcoming work with specific deadlines.

If you have questions or would like guidance on timing or project planning, please email marketing@pima.edu.

April 24 Deadline for College Compliance on Digital Accessibility

Although the U.S. Department of Justice extended the Title II Digital Accessibility deadline by one year, the College's compliance deadline in AP 2.01.02 remains April 24. Temporary exceptions – where technology does not yet support digital accessibility standards – may be included in SOP 2.01.02-1. Thanks for your work and dedication to ensuring our digital environment is inclusive and accessible for everyone at Pima. See available employee resources.

Enroll in Documentation 101 on April 24

rvisors and current Supervision in the 21st Century course participants only are urged to take Documentation 101 on April 24.

This interactive course is offered by Human Resources and focuses on the importance of documenting conversations with employees regarding performance or behavior issues. You’ll need access to a microphone and camera. In the course, you’ll review what to include in your documentation and offer tips to make the process as efficient as possible.

Tucson Poetry Festival April 25

Tucson Poetry Festival on April 25 features a full day of workshops and readings by local and visiting poets.

What: Tucson Poetry Festival
When: April 25
- Writing Workshops: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Poetry Readings: 7-9 p.m.
Where: Amethyst Room, Downtown Campus
Details: Event flyer

Featured poets include Texas Poet Laureate and Presidential Award for Excellence recipient Cyrus Cassells, New Mexico Poet Laureate Catherine Strisik, Diné poet Amber McCrary and Tucson Poet Laureate Logan Phillips. The festival continues with an open mic at Talega Coffee at 11 a.m., April 26.

2026-2027 Benefits Open Enrollment Runs through April 27

year, Pima’s annual benefits open enrollment will be conducted virtually, with one-on-one virtual appointments available a few days each week through April 27. Changes will be effective July 1.

AI Community of Practice, Play Update April 28

Pima’s AI Community of Practice and Play on Zoom at 2 p.m., April 28 when Distance Education Dean Josie Milliken gives an update on the ongoing work supporting the Chancellor’s goals for digital fluency and AI integration.

Nominations Due April 29 for Student Life Leadership Awards

nations are open for the 2025-2026 Leadership Recognition Awards. Whether you know of an organization that went above and beyond or a student leader who inspired everyone around them, tell us about it.

Individual Student Leader Award Categories

Rising Student Leader Award
Exemplary Student Leader Award

Student Organization Award Categories

Organization of the Year
Outstanding Educational Program
Community Service Excellence
Outstanding Club Advisor

Submit your nominations by April 29. The awards ceremony is 6-7:30 p.m., May 8 in the Amethyst Room at Downtown Campus.

Contact Nikaylie Federico, nfederio4@pima.edu, if you have any questions.

Literary Icon Moraga Gives RRG Lecture April 30

’s Ethnic, Gender, Transborder Studies and Sociology Department presents literary icon Cherríe Moraga giving this year’s Raquel Rubio Goldsmith Lecture.

What: Raquel Rubio Goldsmith Lecture and Scholarship Fundraiser Luncheon
When: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., April 30
Where: Tucson Marriott University Park, 880 E. Second St.
Details: Buy a ticket or sponsor a table by April 26
Information: fhernandez@pima.edu

Moraga is an internationally recognized poet, essayist and playwright best known for her groundbreaking feminist anthology, “This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color.”

Among her many honors are the U.S. Artists Rockefeller Fellowship for Literature and Lambda Foundation Pioneer award. She is a Distinguished Professor Emerita In English at University of California, Santa Barbara. For more than two decades, she was an Artist in Residence at Stanford University.

Pima Hosts AZ NOSS Chapter Annual Conference May 1

ster and submit a proposal for the AZ NOSS Chapter Annual Conference being hosted by Pima at Desert Vista Campus May 1.

Mara Nohemi Lopez, Ed.D., is this year’s keynote speaker at the conference, which is 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Space is limited. You can register and/or submit a proposal.

Contact Gustavo Miranda, DBA, gmiranda@pima.edu, if you have questions.

Minor Policy, Procedure Updates on View

e minor updates to Board Policies and Administrative procedures are available to view for 21 days (until May 15), but are not open for comments:

BP 2.06: Assessment & Development of College Facilities
BP 2.07: Architect Selection
BP 6.05: Copyright

AP 6.05.01: Copyright Practice and Compliance

Cababi Awards May 14 at Downtown Campus

celebrate the creative work of your colleagues from across the College at the Cababi Art & Literary Magazine Award Ceremony, which is 5-6 p.m., May 14 in the Amethyst Room at Downtown Campus. Cababi is a publication featuring works by Pima employees at all levels.

Biometric Screening Equals Healthy Rewards Points

oyees in the Pima Healthy Rewards Program can have a biometric screening and earn Pima Healthy Rewards points:

You may request a biometric screening at-home test kit or a voucher to visit a local lab anytime through May 15. The flyer has details. You can register here.

If you have questions, contact the Employee Service Center Benefits Team, esc-benefits@pima.edu or 520-206-4945.

Start Planning Your 2027-2028 Sabbatical Proposal

-time faculty are urged to begin preparing sabbatical proposals for the 2027-2028 academic year. Oct. 19 is the submission deadline.

To be eligible, full-time faculty must complete five consecutive academic or fiscal years of full-time service at the College in order to apply for their first one-semester (six-month) full-pay or half-pay sabbatical. For guidelines, visit Faculty Professional Development: Sabbaticals. If you have questions or need help applying, contact a Faculty Professional Development & Sabbatical Committee member.

Call to Present at Teaching Strategies Workshop

ing all instructors: Have you done something new and exciting in the classroom this past year or two? Did you change your teaching in a way that better supports student success? Then, please consider showcasing your talent and expertise this fall in the Teaching Strategies Workshop.

What: Teaching Strategies Workshop 2026
When: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Aug. 15 (lunch included)
Where: Azurite Room (M390) and nearby classrooms, Downtown Campus
Details: Propose a session using this form; register to attend through Precipio
Questions: pcc-tlc@pima.edu

Selected faculty presenters and facilitators are compensated at a total of $140 (50-minute session preparation and presenting).

Give Feedback on Proposed Employee Handbook Revisions

are invited to review and give feedback on revisions to the Annual Leave section of the Employee Handbook, as proposed by the All Employee Representative Council (AERC), based on employee input.

Provide feedback by April 30, using the Feedback Form, linked in the “Draft to Review” section on the Employee Page in MyPima.

Pima Foundation Golf Tourney, May 30

ref="https://pimafoundation.org/event/pccgolf/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Register today for Pima Foundation’s 30th Annual Golf Tournament at Skyline Country Club. For details, call 520-206-4809 or email golf@pimafoundation.org.

Find Career Opportunities on Pima’s Jobs Webpages

ou are looking to expand your career with the College, check out our recently posted positions on the Internal Careers Jobs Page.

FYI: Regarding Promotional (Non-Lateral) Internal Competitive Selection – An employee is placed on the appropriate step resulting in a 7.5% increase in their base pay, adjusted to the next higher step, or Step 1 of the appropriate salary range, whichever is greater, subject to the maximum of the pay range.

If you are looking for additional opportunities or know someone who may be interested in working at Pima, please visit the External Jobs Page.

Share Your Suggestions with ODR

Office of Dispute Resources welcomes your ideas and feedback. If you have suggestions that are not formal complaints, email pcc-suggestions@pima.edu. ODR staff will review and share it with the appropriate department. Learn more on the ODR page in MyPima or call 520-206-4686.

Get Help with Your Community Engagement

Community Engagement dashboard is accessible on MyPima. There you can:

Learn more about Pima’s collegewide community engagement and the resources available to you.
Report your community engagement for posting to the collegewide calendar.
Sign up for volunteer opportunities to share your subject-matter expertise.
Share your volunteer opportunities and outreach photos.

If you have questions, contact Joi Stirrup, jstirrup@pima.edu.

Pima Arts News

Here are ongoing and upcoming Pima Arts events:

Today: Reception for “Marietta Bernstorff: PatchWork Women from Oaxaca, Mexico,” 3-5 p.m.; West Campus Visual Arts Gallery; the exhibition, uniting women artists, curators, educators and community leaders from Mexico and the U.S. to address violence against women, children and Mother Earth, runs through Sept. 4
Tonight: Opening night for Pima Theater’s “Fairview,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning play challenging perspectives on race and privilege, runs through May 3; Proscenium Theatre, West Campus Center for the Arts; Thu.-Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Tickets: $15, $10 Students/Seniors/Military/Groups, PCC students receive one free ticket
Through May 8: Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, featuring top juried-selected student works; Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery, West Campus CFA
April 27: Percussion Ensemble, directed by Trevor Barroero, D.M.A., featuring performances on more than two dozen instruments; 7 p.m.; West Campus CFA. Tickets: $15, $10 Students/Seniors/Military/Groups, PCC students receive one free ticket
Through May 27: “Adam Gilliland – Osculation” exhibition, Desert Vista Campus Art Gallery, dandres@pima.edu
Through Aug. 30: “Many Truths” student art exhibition, The Art Gallery@Downtown Campus, mcarreras@pima.edu
Through Oct. 31: “Michael Cajero – Dying Is an Integral Part of Life: Father” Exhibition, West Campus Health Science Art Gallery, dandres@pima.edu

Unless noted, Pima Arts programs and exhibitions are free to the public.

Stay up to date on Pima Arts events and get more details on individual events by checking the Pima Arts Calendar of Events. If you have questions, contact 520-206-6986 or centerforthearts@pima.edu.

Pima Athletics News

Cheer on the softball team Saturday in its doubleheader.

April 25: Pima Softball vs. Chandler-Gilbert Community College (doubleheader), 12 p.m., West Campus Aztec Field

To see the latest winter sports playoff results, plus spring sports scores, news and more, visit pimaaztecs.com.

Employee Wellness

up online for Employee Wellness virtual workshops and challenges.

Visit the Employee Wellness Intranet page to access free resources and t to ools. Employees also are encouraged to visit the Employee Wellness website for additional resources, news and information on the Pima Healthy Rewards Program and wellness-related activities that qualify for Pima Wellness Activity points.

@PimaNews is an electronic newsletter for employee news of Pima Community College. The Marketing Office publishes this e-newsletter every Thursday, except when the College is closed for a holiday or break, during the semester and every other week during the summer. Please send announcements and news items – 75 words or fewer – to pimanews@pima.edu by noon on Monday. Check any links before sending your item. Back issues are available on the @PimaNews webpage. The newsletter also accepts submissions about Pima employee accomplishments.