JEFFREY NASSE

Chancellor
Pima Community College

What is the one thing that stands out to you as a success for Sun Corridor Inc. over its 20 years? 

Based on what I have learned, what really stands out is Sun Corridor Inc.’s ability to cast a vision, unify the stakeholders, and then set actions in motion to bring that vision to fruition.  Sun Corridor had the vision of expanding OEM and tier 1 industries in our region, such as advanced manufacturing and aerospace and defense.  This vision and direction was a key factor behind Pima Community College’s Centers of Excellence initiative at the college, and we built and now operate one of the largest advanced manufacturing education and training centers and aviation technology centers in the greater American Southwest to support Sun Corridor’s attraction and expansion efforts in these industries, and have already seen mutual success.  We at Pima CC will build upon these successes to ensure more of our learners attain quality jobs as a result of Sun Corridor Inc.’s efforts, and that we do our part to help Sun Corridor Inc. bring these jobs to our community.

Why are you involved in Sun Corridor Inc?

Essential to the success of Pima CC is fulfilling our vision: “As a premier community college, Pima Community College will be a catalyst for personal transformation, economic growth, and cultural prosperity that enriches our diverse community.”  Supporting the strategy and work of Sun Corridor Inc. helps us fulfill this vision to ensure that we develop and strengthen the education and training programs that align to key industries, and that our learners attain the high-quality jobs that come about by growing and supporting these industries. We want the very best for our learners and our community, and this connectedness of education and economic development helps us do more to break the cycle of generational poverty, provide new opportunities to our students, and strengthen our region.

What’s the biggest opportunity for the region?

It’s really hard to choose one “biggest” opportunity because there is so much potential in all of the business attraction and expansion opportunities that continue to come our direction.  If I really have to choose one, I would choose an alignment of focus in our economic development priorities and efforts.  We have so much to offer in our region, and with increased alignment, we only strengthen our opportunities to focus our institutions, resources, and expertise to those opportunities that will yield the greatest economic development outcomes for the region.

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