GateWay Community College and Maricopa Skill Center (MSC) have ties that go back nearly three decades. During that time, MSC has been operating as a division of GateWay, but few realized there was any connection between the two institutions.
Effective July 1, 2016, that will change as the MSC brand will be transitioned to the GateWay Community College name. Improved student services, enhanced offerings at more locations and more options for students will strengthen the overall brand.
Due to shrinking appropriations from the state since 2007, more aggressive, intentional actions have taken place to bring the two institutions more in line with one another.
“We had worked in silos and as separate institutions for many years, but have made a concerted effort to move away from that model,” says Steven Gonzales, president of GateWay. “We are now taking it a step further, moving from two separate institutions to operating and functioning as one, under one brand, with four locations.”
With several initiatives under the One Maricopa effort led by the Governing Board and Chancellor, as well as the lack of funding, it’s an ideal time to bring the two brands under one.
“Maricopa Skill Center will benefit from a clearer alignment with GateWay, and we expect to gain more efficiencies for both institutions under one brand,” says Al Larson, vice president of Workforce Innovation and Strategic Partnerships. “It will also allow us to help students find the right fit, whether it’s a short-term, hands-on training program, a program that will help them transfer to a university or an occupational program.”
All of the current MSC and GateWay programs will continue to exist, with the MSC programs available under a new educational category known as Trade and Technical Training, which is part of the umbrella functional area called Workforce Innovation and Strategic Partnerships led by Larson.
“The long-term vision for GateWay in four locations means that students can go to any one of our four campuses and register for university transfer, occupational education, or trade and technical training programs,” says Gonzales. “That currently is not an option.”
In addition, organizational alignment changes in Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and under Workforce Innovation and Strategic Partnerships are in process, with many already effective as of January 2016.
Training will be offered to employees to be able to navigate and understand new processes and systems from both institutions, answer questions about the changes as well as develop consistent processes for the July rollout.
During the spring, efforts will be under way to further educate and communicate these changes to employees across the district, our elected officials, community partners as well as the general public.
All changes are pending the Higher Learning Commission’s approval.
From Two Brands to One with Four Locations:
Future GateWay campus names will be aligned with their respective neighborhoods or location.
- Gateway at 40th and Washington = GateWay Community College-Washington Campus
- MSC at Buckeye and 12th Street = GateWay Community College-Central City Campus
- MSC-Northwest = GateWay Community College-Deer Valley Campus
- Cutting Edge Style Academy = GateWay Community College-Palm Valley Center
Educational Offerings:
- University Transfer = Credit
- Occupational Education = Credit
- Trade and Technical Training = Clock Hour (MSC programs)
Questions: Contact Institutional Advancement at 602-286-8226.