2026 April issue of InMaricopa Magazine

EDUCATION

TUITION-FREE PUBLIC CHARTER 4-DAY SCHOOL WEEK 6TH - 12TH GRADE

April is Community College Month BY MAGGIE ALMQUIST, CAC ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING W HAT COMES TO MIND WHEN you hear the term “community college”? In the past, some believed it was only for individuals

Research Center at Columbia University, approximately 48% of working adults have attended a community college at some point in their lives. Many working adults leverage community colleges to acquire new skills, certifications, or credentials that will advance or change their careers. At Central Arizona College, we offer nearly 100 degree and certificate programs across 9 Areas of Interest. For working adults, fully online programs enable them to continue their jobs while pursuing better-paying careers. Flexible options, such as the Dietary Manager Training (DMT) certificate program, provide an accelerated path to additional job skills and eligibility for professional certifications (centralaz.edu/DM). Additionally, the online Health Information Management (HIM) associate degree program prepares students for the expanding field of healthcare management with hands-on support from experienced faculty (centralaz.edu/HIM). The terminal credential pathway Employers value the hands-on experience and practical training offered at community colleges, especially in technical fields. With programs like ReadyTechGo (readytechgoaz. com), students in the Automated Industrial Technology (AIT) program at Central Arizona College can become job-ready in as little as 16 weeks, earning their first certification. Industrial technology and skilled trades programs at CAC provide students with demonstrable, practical skills to be able to get high-paying, local jobs in a number of desirable fields. “Community colleges are uniquely positioned to change the trajectory of student’s lives,” says Dr. Suzonne Crocket, Dean of Academic Programs and Services at Central Arizona College. “We know that success is measured in different ways by different people and we remain committed to providing pathways to a brighter future for all types of learners.” Celebrate Community College Month by using #CCMonth on social media to view student success stories and share your own.

EMPOWERING STUDENTS PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

The transfer pathway Roughly one-third of community college students ultimately transfer to a four-year university in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. By starting their educational journey at the community college level, students save thousands of dollars in tuition and fees. Central Arizona College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the same accreditor as Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. Students who plan to transfer from CAC to a university can confidently know they have received a rigorous and relevant education that prepares them for future academic success. The upskilling pathway According to the Community College

who didn’t succeed in high school or couldn’t gain admission to a university. Others might have claimed that community colleges offer lower-quality education, providing degrees or certificates that lack value with employers. We are here to tell you that times have changed. Today, community colleges provide multiple, valid pathways for a diverse range of students with various goals. Central Arizona College serves as your community’s college and has dedicated itself to becoming a cornerstone of higher education and workforce development in Pinal County and beyond.

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