AWC breaks ground on long-awaited science lab at San Luis Learning Center
August 30, 2021Classroom space to provide students with more opportunities in South Yuma County
Yuma, AZ (August 30, 2021) – On Monday morning, Arizona Western College celebrated the beginning of construction on a much-anticipated Science Lab at the San Luis Learning Center.
The 1,200 square-foot lab classroom will provide students with the opportunity to earn up to a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Computer Informatics completely from San Luis starting Fall 2022. Currently, students must travel to the Yuma Campus to fulfill science lab requirements for the program.
“Arizona Western College serves many communities with a variety of different needs. This project is taking care of two really important needs in South Yuma County and redoubling AWC’s efforts to be a college of the communities in which it serves,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr.
The new lab will also allow AWC to offer a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program in San Luis as the facility will include space for showers, storage, and laundry.
“Through the vision of Reetika Dhawan, our AWC Vice President of Workforce Development & CTE, we looked creatively at how this space could also be used to bring the CNA program to the San Luis Learning Center, and this combined project is a manifestation of that,” Corr added.
The project is being funded through $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III STEM Instinct2 Federal Grant Program, as well as through additional institutional funding.
“Instinct2 Grant Program staff members are pleased to support the construction of this much-needed lab in the South Yuma County region. Being able to take a science lab class in San Luis has been a need for many AWC students, and we’re excited that this project is now beginning,” said Dawn Ponce, Instinct2 Grant Program Director.
“And now with the addition of the CNA program, this project will help expand the number of opportunities available for residents of South Yuma County.”
Susanna Zambrano, Associate Dean for South Yuma County Services, shared that this project will also bring AWC one step closer to doubling the baccalaureate rate in Yuma and La Paz counties.
“I am thankful for the strong leadership at the college, especially Jana Moore and Reetika Dhawan, who were instrumental in making the Science Lab and CNA program a reality for our students,” said Zambrano.
“Today I’m feeling more and more passionate about the mission and vision of the college, because transforming lives, eliminating poverty, and providing an amazing student experience - that’s what this project is all about. This is why we come to work every day.”
The groundbreaking ceremony can be viewed online here on AWC’s Facebook page. More information about the Informatics Program can be found here, and more information about the CNA Program can be found here.
Contact:
Jana Moore
Executive Director of Student Success & Retention
Arizona Western College
Jana.Moore@azwestern.edu
(928) 317-6052