Welding Student Discovers Love of Teaching

By Dina Doolen, Marketing, Communications and Strategic Outreach

William “Wil” Alley found a mentor at Pima Community College, and now, with Pima’s help, he’ll become one himself.

In Fall 2027 he’ll complete his Welding AAS degree. Then in Fall 2028, he’ll complete a Bachelor of Science in Education, Career and Technical Education – Occupational Education, degree through a PCC-Northern Arizona University 90/30 program.

Right now, he is a woodshop technician at a local recovery facility and, over the summer, will teach Pima classes as part of his PCC-NAU studies. He also is raising his three children, ages 5, 7 and 8, and his younger brother lives with him.

“Now I’m doing what a big brother is supposed to be doing,” Will says with a big smile.

A couple of years ago when Will first met with a Pima advisor, he was interested in Pima’s Radiologic Technology Program, but hesitated because of cost concerns. He pivoted to Welding, where he already had basic knowledge and skills.

The Welding Program is based at the Downtown Campus Advanced Manufacturing Center, which opened in 2023 as part of Pima’s Center of Excellence in Applied Technology.

Soon, Will saw a new path in teaching, inspired by his first welding instructor Gina Santaniello.

“I just told her, ‘You are my mentor now,” says Will, who is Navajo and grew up on the Navajo Nation. “Then, I just kept leveling up, and so did she – she got to be department head – and now we’re friends.”

After helping other students in a Joint Technology Education District class that Gina was teaching, he was determined, and again talked to an advisor. The advisor told him about the PCC-NAU program.

“I’m going to be real – I’m going to be sober, be there for my kids and teach,” says Will, who moved to Tucson to enter a recovery facility.

He says the idea of being a welder and working high-paying jobs around the country is alluring, but having a stable teaching job and being there for his family is more important.

“I’m going to be there for my kids,” he says. “I want to be their best friend. I don’t want them to be scared of me or scared to talk to me.”