Tempe, Ariz., November 10, 2026 – To advance student success, support workforce readiness, and improve retention and completion rates, four of Maricopa Community Colleges’ 10 colleges were awarded competitive U.S. Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions Programs (SIP) grants, which the Department of Labor administers. GateWay Community College (GWCC), Glendale Community College (GCC), Mesa Community College (MCC), and Scottsdale Community College (SCC) are among several colleges and universities nationwide to receive five-year grants.
“We are extremely grateful to have four colleges selected as recipients of the U.S. Department of Education SIP grant,” said Dr. Steven Bloomberg, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “This funding will allow these four colleges to provide students with additional access to support services and work-based experiences needed to be successful as they enter the workforce.”
Why It Matters
SIP provides direct funding to eligible colleges and universities for five years to improve academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability so they can better serve students and strengthen institutional capacity. Title III funds may be used for educational equipment and materials; construction and renovation of instructional facilities; developing and improving academic programs; student success services, including tutoring and financial literacy education; establishing or improving a development office; or establishing an endowment fund.
For community colleges to qualify for the SIP grant, they must have at least 44% of enrolled students receive need-based financial aid, or enroll more Pell Grant recipients than the median for the same type of institution.
Zoom In
Each five-year award will support individual college-wide initiatives to strengthen educational pathways, support student success and post-completion outcomes, and promote the attainment of higher-wage credentials. Here’s how the colleges will administer the SIP grant funds:
- GWCC will receive nearly $3 million to fund two new advising positions, a career exploration advisor, and a project manager. The SIP grant also supports curriculum development, advisory council training, campus engagement events, and outreach materials. The grant will also allow GWCC to continue supporting its initiative with the Aspen Institute’s Unlocking Opportunities to reform programs and improve student outcomes.
- GCC plans to use its nearly $3 million to expand the Math E.M.P.O.W.E.R.S. project and set up the Math Emporium Model for several mathematics courses. This highly interactive instructional model needs a dedicated learning space and includes hands-on activities, integrated assessments, and integrated artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, the SIP grant will help renovate four math classrooms for the Emporium Model, fund a project coordinator and math coach, provide faculty stipends, and purchase hardware, software, and supplies.
- MCC was awarded $3 million for its Industry Pathways and Guided Navigation for Next-Generation Workforce: Innovation, Training, and Education (IGNITE) institution-wide initiative. With the SIP funds, the college will purchase industry-aligned equipment, expand online workforce programs, enhance tutoring, advising, and student support services, improve distance education capacity, and support workforce-aligned academic program development. To strengthen connections between education, employment, and regional workforce needs, MCC will also expand work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, undergraduate research, and industry-sponsored projects.
- With nearly $3 million, SCC will use the SIP grant to support four strategic programs: Bridge2Bachelors, Connect2Career, Navigate2Graduate, and Thrive2gether. The college will develop new stackable and accelerated credentials that strengthen pathways to its bachelor’s degree program, add discipline-specific AI literacy courses, and create more consistent work-based learning experiences. To increase retention, persistence, and three-year graduation rates, SCC will scale its student success programs, including advising, early intervention, mentoring, First Year Experience, and career navigation. The college will also create gathering and learning spaces such as a student-run coffee shop focused on advising, career exploration, employer engagement, applied learning, and mentoring.
What Leaders Are Saying
“At GateWay, we’re excited to be able to use the funding to champion our initiatives for Aspen Institute’s Unlocking Opportunities, creating new ways to support strong post-completion outcomes across trades, healthcare, and transfer programs,” said GWCC President Dr. Amy Diaz. “It will also allow us to ensure timely and proactive support for students, from entry to exit, by completing a comprehensive redesign of student services.”
“Students come to Mesa Community College with different experiences, responsibilities and career aspirations,” said MCC President Dr. Richard Daniel. “IGNITE recognizes those differences by expanding flexible learning opportunities, recognizing prior experience and providing more coordinated support to help students reach their goals. Whether entering college for the first time or returning to advance their careers, students will have more ways to turn their education into professional opportunity.”
“GCC is thrilled to receive this funding that will directly support our students through hands-on, interactive learning and personalized coaching in their math classes,” said GCC President Dr. Tiffany Hernandez. “This award also reflects the confidence we have in our outstanding Math faculty and staff who are putting their innovative ideas into action.”
“This award is a vote of confidence in our students and the exceptional way SCC supports learners on their educational journey,” said SCC President Dr. Eric Leshinskie. “Our students arrive with purposeful goals, and this grant lets us surround them with what it takes to support them: a clear path to a degree, hands-on experience with local employers, and people who notice early when someone needs a hand. We are grateful to the Department of Education for its investment, and we are ready to get to work.”
Learn more at maricopa.edu.
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