Committee Statements

Here in Arizona, we not only enjoy fantastic winter weather, but also great traditions of educational opportunities and a pro-growth business environment. In fact, today we will hear from some of our great educational institutions on the innovative ways they are working to deliver education to our students, as well as, how they connect with local businesses to fill the pipeline for tomorrow’s workforce.

Arizona’s economy has a rich history. We need only look to the Great Seal of the State of Arizona to find where our economy was at the beginning of our statehood. The 5 C’s include: Cattle, Cotton, Copper, Citrus and Climate. These C’s are still important to our economy, including Copper, which accounts for two-thirds of the nation’s output. However, Arizona continues to evolve and thrive. Our education and business communities have further developed Arizona into the diverse economy it is today with health care, transportation and innovative industries being core drivers of employment throughout the state.  

Today, we will hear from the City of Chandler on the state of the local economy, as well as how the education community ties into local businesses. Chandler is known for its high-tech industry, which makes up 75% of the manufacturing employees, while the national average is at 15%. Every city in the nation is host to unique workforce industries, so it is important to connect with local businesses to ensure we are meeting the needs of employers. We can then better prepare students with the skills they need to enter the workforce today and to be equipped to adapt to the trends of the future.

We will also hear from Intel- one of the world’s largest high-tech semiconductor chip manufacturer. Intel has numerous inventions that most of us use on a daily basis, including the processors found in most personal computers. They have had a large Arizona presence since 1979. Intel employs almost 12,000 Arizonans alone, and is the largest employer in Chandler, AZ. They continue to grow with the expansion of their $300 million research and development site.  Without employers like Intel, our high tech industry in Arizona would not be where we are today.

I am also looking forward to the testimony of the University of Phoenix, who has worked for years to make higher education more accessible and recently won accolades as a top 10 online MBA program. Phoenix actively engages the business community through their Industry Strategy Group as well as their Workforce Solutions department, including engaging businesses such as Microsoft and Cisco Systems.

One of the largest community college systems in the nation is with us today as well- Maricopa County Community Colleges, with their Estrella Mountain Campus. Also with us is Pima Community Colleges. The community colleges have been an important part of higher education. They work closely with our local high schools with dual enrollment programs, as well as with our universities for seamless transitions toward degrees. Another important aspect is their work with community businesses, with career and technical education tracks. Chandler-Gilbert Community College, just next door to this campus works in tandem with local authorities in law enforcement, fire safety, aviation, nursing, and other in-demand career fields to prepare their students.

We are also fortunate to have representatives from three of our esteemed public universities- Christy Farley from Northern Arizona University out of Flagstaff, Dr. Anne Hart from the University of Arizona out of Tucson, and of course from my Alma Mater- Dr. Michael Crow from Arizona State University out of Tempe- Go Sun Devils. I would like to thank ASU for opening their doors for this committee field hearing here at the Polytechnic Campus, which encompasses high tech research and education including their renowned algae laboratory.

ASU is one of the largest, if not THE largest university in the nation and is redefining higher education through the “New American Model.” One of ASUs student-business partnerships is with Intel and they work together to develop a customized engineering degree for some of the chip maker’s Arizona-based employees.

The University of Arizona is the state’s first university, operates the state’s public medical schools and is the largest research institution in our great state. U of A connects with businesses, such as Raytheon, to work toward inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Northern Arizona University stays connected with the business community through its business outreach boards locally, as well as, nationally. All of the institutions here today provide an excellent educational environment for students and continue to be pioneers in higher education. All work to think outside the box with new concepts, interdisciplinary collaborations, and academic programs that educate our students, provide important research and help U.S. industry prosper.

It should come as no surprise to anyone in this room that the cost of higher education is on the minds of most families and students approaching admission to college. In an effort to help address this challenge, I recently introduced bipartisan legislation to start a pilot project for higher education institutions to pursue the competency based education model, something NAU offers through their “Personalized Learning.” My bill, H.R. 3136, the Advancing Competency Based Education Project of 2013 allows institutions to tailor instruction to students’ unique needs and learning pace. Students will progress when they have mastered the requisite knowledge and skills necessary for a course, rather than time spent in the classroom. This controlled demonstration program would reduce costs and provide opportunities for students to earn their degree on time or early in some cases.  Perhaps most importantly, this bill would allow certainty and accessibility for a broad array of higher education institutions to provide this 21st Century learning environment.

The goal for the vast majority of students entering postsecondary education is to obtain the skills necessary to be competitive in the job market, with the critical thinking skills to adapt with an ever-changing workforce. I look forward to hearing from the experts in these fields today on how we can best work together towards this goal. 

 

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