New Maricopa IT Institute to open at Phoenix College

Phoenix College and Maricopa County Community College District are unveiling plans to create a Maricopa IT Institute at Phoenix College, utilizing a currently vacant building located in the heart of downtown Phoenix. The institute will prepare students for high-demand careers and help meet labor market demands within the field of information technology.

Presently, there are 7,413 open cybersecurity jobs in Arizona. Nationally, there are 301,873 open cybersecurity jobs*. In addition to cybersecurity, there are 630 open software developer, application jobs in the metropolitan Phoenix area.

“We’re very excited to provide Phoenix College with space where students can pursue careers that might lead to higher wage employment,” said MCCCD Chancellor Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick. “Our students will have the skills needed to enter the workforce, and our colleges will continue to increase their impact on the cybersecurity and information technology community.”

This IT institute will serve as a collaborative space for all students in computer information systems (CIS) classes, in addition to any course with the Cisco Networking Technologies (CNT), Microsoft Server Technologies (MST), and Information Technology Security (ITS) classes. The site will also serve as convening location for cybersecurity workshops, industry advisory groups, meetups and networking functions. Classes will be offered during the day, evening, weekend and in flexible formats, such as hybrid or online.

The vision for the Maricopa IT Institute at Phoenix College is to create an environment conducive to collaboration among similar programs of study and certificates in the areas of cybersecurity, iOS application development (Swift/XCode), programming and systems analysis, Linux administration, networking, web development are all available courses.  Future plans will include programs in Windows server administration, cyberethics, A+ certification, virtualization (VMWare), Google IT and Palo Alto Firewalls. 

“Phoenix College has great pride in serving its diverse student body. ‘Go Far Close to Home’ isn’t just a tagline, it’s our commitment to our students,” said Dr. Larry Johnson, president of Phoenix College. “As an institution that has served the Phoenix community for more than 100 years, we are elated to provide students access to educational and workforce opportunities that reflect an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. The Maricopa IT Institute at Phoenix College is just one example of how we are making an impact and leaving an indelible mark on Phoenix Community.” 

The site is expected to open in March 2020.

If you have questions about the program or would like to talk about potential partnerships or specialized programs for your employees and/or organization contact Maria Reyes, Dean, Industry & Public Service  602-285-7434 

Phoenix College, the flagship of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. Phoenix College will be celebrating it’s 100 year anniversary in 2020.  The college offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates, and short-term job training to more than 17,000 students annually. To learn more about Phoenix College, visit www.phoenixcollege.edu.