Pima Community College (PCC) is an American two-year institution of higher education in Pima County, Arizona serving the Tucson metropolitan area. The community college district consists of six campuses, four education centers, and several adult education learning centers. It provides traditional and online instruction for over 144 programs. The college also offers workforce training, non-credit personal interest classes and post-baccalaureate certificates. PCC is one of the largest multi-campus community colleges in the United States, with relative ranking varying between fourth and tenth largest. PCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and is in good standing.
History
Voters in Pima County approved the creation of a junior college district in 1966 and the first classes were held in 1969 at a temporary campus in an airplane hangar at the Tucson airport, Tucson Medical Center, Villa Maria, and Marana. The college was originally named Pima College but the name was changed to Pima Community College in 1972 to better reflect the mission of the College.
In 2008, PCC's Board of Governors began receiving anonymous complaints of sexual harassment by PCC chancellor Roy Flores. The board took no formal action until 2011 and Flores resigned in 2012 citing health problems. The search for his replacement has been troubled. In February 2013, PCC discovered that the search consultant failed to disclose an issue with a finalist for the job; the consultant was fired and the job search extended.
One month after the chancellor search was extended, the interim chancellor resigned in the wake of a scathing report issued by PCC's regional accreditor the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The report documented not only the ignored complaints of sexual harassment but also a hostile work environment and numerous administrative and financial problems. The report also discussed problems with admissions standards that PCC changed in 2011, problems the college has admitted. As a result of these problems Pima been on probation with the HLC; however, on Feb. 26, 2015 this probation was rescinded. Although the probation was retracted, Pima continues to remain "On Notice" for deficiencies.
PCC also received media attention in early 2011 as the former school of 2011 Tucson Shooting perpetrator Jared Lee Loughner. While at PCC, some of his teachers complained to the administration about his disruptions and bizarre behavior, as they thought them a sign of mental illness and feared what he might do. The college decided to suspend Loughner.
Campuses and learning centers
The original campus for Pima College was located at the site which is now the West Campus. Before the campus opened, classes were taught at a variety of locations around Tucson. From 1971 to the present, the college district has expanded to meet the growing educational needs of the Tucson area. The campuses and learning center provides traditional classroom, distance learning, and hands-on learning opportunities. There are six campuses across the Tucson metropolitan area:
- Community campus
- Desert Vista campus
- Downtown campus
- East campus
- Northwest campus
- West campus
Additionally, there are four Learning/Education Centers:
- Davis Monthan Air Force Base Education Center
- Green Valley Community Learning Center
- Northeast Education Center (closed in 2011)
- Southeast Education Center
Community campus
The Pima Community College Community campus was opened in 1975 to meet non-traditional educational needs, including distance learning, non-degree activity classes, and adult education. In 1997, the campus moved to its current location at Bonita Avenue and Commerce Park Loop, near St. Mary's Road and Interstate 10. Campus is home to the teacher education program.
Desert Vista campus
First established as the South Education Center in 1986, the Desert Vista campus moved to its present location in 1993. The campus is located at Valencia Viejo, a site once occupied by the Hohokam people, between Irvington Road and Valencia Road on Calle Santa Cruz, west of Interstate 19. The campus supports the nearby Aviation Technology Center at Tucson International Airport and supplies workforce training to the business community at the Center for Training and Development.
Downtown campus
Opened in 1974, Downtown Campus is situated between Speedway Blvd. and Drachman Street on Stone Avenue, close to downtown Tucson and east of Interstate 10. It has traditional academic, occupational, technical, and trade programs.
East campus
In 1976, the college established the East Learning Center, which became East campus in 1981 with the construction of a new facility located on 58 acres (23Â ha) of land at Irvington Road and Fred Enke Drive, near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Its programs include Veterinary Technology and Emergency Medical Technology.
The Pima College East Campus Observatory was established in 1989 by Professor David G. Iadevaia It includes the Pima College - East Campus observatory and teaching planetarium. After many years in temporary, makeshift facilities, the observatory now has a new, permanent home which was designed by Professor Iadevaia. The observatory is an important part of astronomy education, not only for registered students but also for the public. http://ecc.pima.edu/~diadevaia/page1.html
Northwest campus
In 2003, the Northwest Community Learning Center (established in 1998) became the Northwest campus, the newest PCC campus. The 50-acre (20Â ha) campus is located on Shannon Road, between Ina and Magee roads in north Tucson. The campus is home to the hotel/restaurant management and therapeutic massage programs.
West campus
The oldest Pima Community College campus, West campus is located on 267 acres (108.1Â ha) of land between Anklam Road and Speedway Blvd., west of Interstate 10. The campus was opened in 1970. Facilities located at West Campus include the Center for Archaeological Field Training, the Center for the Arts, and the offices of the Aztec Press newspaper and Cababi literary magazine. The campus is home to the college's programs in health-related professions. West Campus is home to SandScript, a student literary magazine.
Learning centers
The learning centers provide administrative functions and teach classes. These centers are:
- Northeast Education Center, located at the Catalina Village shopping center at the corner of Pantano and Wrightstown roads closed in 2011.
- Southeast Education Center, serving the Vail region of Pima County from Cienega High School, on Mary Ann Cleveland Way.
- Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Education Center, meeting the needs of active duty military at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and members of the general public.
- Green Valley Community Learning Center, south of Tucson along Interstate 19, serving the Green Valley community.
Adult learning centers for basic education, ESOL instruction, citizenship classes, and GED preparation are located at the following locations:
- Eastside Learning Center on south Alvernon Way.
- El Pueblo Liberty Learning Center on Irvington Road, east of Interstate 19.
- El Rio Learning Center on west Speedway Blvd.
- Lindsey Center on south Third Ave.
Organization and administration
PCC is governed by a five-member Board of Governors, whose members serve six-year elected terms. Board members are elected based on County electoral district.
The Chancellor of PCC serves as its chief executive officer. Currently, Lee Lambert is Chancellor.
Each campus is led by a president, and each administrative area is run by a vice chancellor. A list of all campus presidents, vice chancellors, and board members can be found on PCC's Administration and Board of Governors websites.
Academic profile
PCC offers many community-related programs to support the needs of the Tucson metropolitan area. It provides GED and adult literacy classes, art and theater, senior facilities, and summer camps. PCC also has an extensive small-business development center.
PCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Additionally, many medical programs (such as nursing or veterinary technology) have additional specialized accreditation by the Arizona and United States Departments of Education. PCC’s Aviation Technology Program, through Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.
PCC offers programs in several general areas:
- Arts, Humanities & Communication
- Business Careers
- Computer Information Technology
- Education Careers
- Health-Related Professions
- Public Safety Careers
- Science & Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Trade Professions
- General Studies
- Transfer Programs
Degrees and certificates
PCC awards the following degrees:
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Associate of Business (AB)
- Associate of Science (AS)
- Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)
- Associate of Applied Arts (AAA)
- Associate of General Studies (AGS)
It also awards certificates in many disciplines (see "Programs of Study").
AGEC
In 1999, Arizona approved the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) for students transferring from an Arizona community college to one of the three state universities. A 35-credit block of general education courses, the AGEC transfers to the state universities (and some other baccalaureate degree granting institutions) to meet their lower division general education requirements. PCC awards the AGEC-A, AGEC-B, and AGEC-S certificates.
English Speaking Controversy
As of August 28, 2014, a lawsuit was continuing regarding a nursing student where it was alleged that she was suspended for nine months for requesting that her fellow students speak English during class.
Student life
Student publications
- Aztec Press, the student-run biweekly newspaper. The newspaper has been named a national finalist by the Society of Professional Journalists for best all-around two-year college newspaper.
- SandScript, a literary magazine. This publication has won the Best Overall Publication, Southwest Division, from the Community College Humanities Association, most recently in 2013.
Aztec Press
The Aztec Press is the student newspaper at Pima Community College. It was created in the 1970s as the Campus News (1973 to 1977), then named the Aztec Campus News (1977â€"1978) and Aztec News (1978â€"1981), before changing to the current name. Cynthia Lancaster is the current adviser.
The Aztec Press serves all six campuses of Pima Community College. Current circulation is 5,000 copies, published every other Thursday during regular school semesters.
Other programs
- Army ROTC
- Performing arts (theater, music, and art)
- Student government
- Honors program
- Phi Theta Kappa honors society
Sport
PCC sponsors fifteen intercollegiate sports teams for men and women. The teams are nicknamed the Aztecs.
Noted people
- Abdi Abdirahman, Olympic long distance runner
- Anthony Birchak, professional Mixed Martial Artist, UFC Bantamweight
- D. J. Carrasco, professional baseball pitcher
- Erubiel Durazo, professional baseball player
- Efrain Escudero, NJCAA All-American wrestler; professional Mixed Martial Artist, winner of The Ultimate Fighter 8
- Warren Faidley, storm chaser
- Drew Fickett, professional MMA fighter
- Jesse Forbes, NJCAA All-American wrestler; professional MMA fighter
- David Leighton, Arizona Daily Star newspaper columnist
- Horacio Llamas, professional basketball player
- Jared Lee Loughner, perpetrator of the 2011 Tucson shooting (did not graduate)
- Danny Martinez, professional MMA fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Ned Norris, Jr., Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation since 2007.
- George Roop, professional MMA fighter, formerly in the UFC's Bantamweight Division
- James Terry (fighter), professional MMA fighter
- Nancy Turner, author
- Jamie Varner, retired professional Mixed Martial Artist former WEC Lightweight Champion, last competed in the UFC
- Ed West, (attended) professional MMA fighter
- Donald Toia, professional soccer player (MLS)
- Minh Vu, professional soccer player (USL)
References
External links
- Official website
- Aztec Press, college newspaper
