Rep. Greg Stanton announced today that a $1 million federal investment that he secured for Maricopa Community Colleges to support the development of its bioscience program has been included in an appropriations bill the House will soon consider.
The funds will help Maricopa Community Colleges develop and expand its STEM curriculum, create additional seats to prepare students for good-paying careers as lab technicians, bioscience quality systems managers, and bioscience process managers. The program will build the pipeline for STEM-focused jobs, where job growth continues to outpace the number of qualified individuals available to fill those jobs.
From Left to Right: Maricopa Community Colleges Interim Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Governing Board President Marie Sullivan, U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (CD9), Exact Sciences Vice President, Phoenix Business Operations Kevin Parker and AZBio President & CEO Joan Koerber-Walker. (Photo Credit: Tom Dorn, Dorn Policy Group)
“Maricopa Community Colleges provide students with the tools that could help them find the next scientific breakthrough or discover lifesaving cures—and they attract companies who are looking for a highly skilled and developed workforce,” Stanton said. “These companies bring jobs to the Valley, bolster our economy and help keep our graduates here at home.”
MCCCD Interim Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales and Governing Board President Marie Sullivan both lauded Stanton for his successful advocacy and explained how crucial these funds are to expanding the college’s program.
“As part of the Maricopa Community Colleges, CEI LabForce helps bioscience innovators and businesses of all sizes succeed by producing entrepreneurial, educational, and workforce development resources” Dr. Gonzales said. “While the construction of the space concludes, the development of high-quality educational content and curriculum is the current venture, and the Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Stanton will support this important work.”
“As a result of Arizona’s rapidly growing bioscience sector, the Maricopa Community Colleges have taken critical steps in investments and resources needed to support the expansion of current workforce development opportunities for our student population,” Sullivan said. “This program is unique because not only do we train the traditional laboratory technician, but we provide the bioscience employers with the niche skill sets necessary to operate and elevate their bioscience businesses.”
“We appreciate Congressman Stanton’s leadership and commitment to workforce and economic development in this State and securing critical federal funding for these programs which will give additional resources and allow our incredible students to continue thriving in the workforce,” Sullivan continued.
According to Lightcast, a leading labor market and economic analytics tool, the bioscience workforce in Arizona is projected to grow an estimated 20 percent over the next decade.
Video and audio from the announcement are available HERE.