National report highlights college transformation

‘Radically different’ PCC now among U.S.’s best

October 8, 2019

Tucson, AZ – Six years ago, Pima Community College welcomed a new Chancellor, Lee D. Lambert, who faced a leadership crisis, accreditation probation, and programs that weren’t meeting the needs of employers. Today, Pima is developing a series of workforce-focused Centers of Excellence and boasts national leadership in Aviation Technology, health professions and other fields.

A series of groundbreakings planned over the next year will be more than shovel ceremonies; they will be tangible representations of Pima’s refocus on technology, adult learners, workforce partnerships, economic development and community revitalization. They will be demonstration of Chancellor’s Lambert’s frequent comment, “We have to become radically different to remain relevant.”

Pima’s story from flagging institution into an innovative community college and workforce education leader is told in the new report Shift Happens @ Pima Community College.

The report, created as both lesson and inspiration to other institutions, was produced by Jamai Blivin, founder and CEO of Innovate-Educate, which focuses on education and workforce strategies, and Dr. Merrilea Mayo, founder of Mayo Enterprises, LCC, a consultancy in innovation, workforce, technology and the future of learning. They also collaborated on “Shift Happens: The Entrepreneurs, Wonks and Investors Revolutionizing the Learning-to-Employment Landscape,” which made the case for competency-based approaches to education, training and hiring, and the recently released “Shift 2: Finding Strong Footing: The Future Assessment in the Learning-to-Employment Landscape.”

Pima’s transformation required reinventing the College’s mission and strategic planning, data tracking, student cost elements, administrative structure, personnel policies and practices, business model, program offerings, online course delivery, and physical plan.

It also required the collective courage and buy-in of faculty, staff, administration and Governing Board.

Shift Happens @ Pima Community College details the changes and chronicles the visionary leadership that led to change.

CONTACT:

Libby Howell, APR, Executive Director

Media, Government and Community Relations

(520) 206-4778, ehowell1@pima.edu