MCCCD Joins Community College Consortium to Transform IT Education
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is proud to announce it will join a consortium of community colleges, led by Columbus State Community College (CSCC), in receiving a $7.4 million dollar, National Science Foundation grant to launch the National Information Technology Innovation Center (NITIC). Funds will be distributed amongst partner institutions to enhance IT technician education and workforce development on a national scale.
Working alongside a network of community college core partners including Columbus State Community College, Collin College, Lone Star College, and Sinclair Community College, funding will run through 2027—providing institutions the opportunity to collaborate on creating valuable products and deliverables that will advance knowledge in IT education.
The grant’s vision centers on establishing the NITIC which will serve as a hallmark of leadership across technology clusters and industry sectors. As part of this grant’s various initiatives, the consortium aims to create an Innovation Clearinghouse to encourage the development of new IT curriculum assets and resources, and pilot a Business & Industry Leadership Team (BILT) Model that will heighten employee engagement and enhance program and curriculum offerings. At the conclusion of the grant and pilot, MCCCD will have the flexibility to adopt any opportunities that are of value to the system.
MCCCD will utilize the grant to provide professional development workshops and opportunities to instructors across the system under the banner of Working Connections. These initiatives will equip IT educators with the latest tools, technologies, and teaching methodologies, ensuring they remain at the forefront of IT education.
Recognizing the significance of diversity and inclusivity in IT career pathways, the grant funding will enable MCCCD to develop and pilot best practice models to increase the representation of historically underserved populations. By fostering an inclusive environment built on best practices, MCCCD is committed to creating equitable opportunities for all individuals pursuing careers in IT.
To learn more about the National Information Technology Innovation Center click here.
For further inquiries, please contact Diane Meza, Grant Project Director: diane.meza@domail.maricopa.edu or Leah Palmer, Grant Project Coordinator: leah.palmer@domail.maricopa.edu