The topic today is higher education in Arizona, with our focus on Yuma and La Paz Counties.
Last week the Arizona Board of Regents announced the Arizona Innovation Alliance. It is a partnership of the state’s three public universities - Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona - to enhance public higher education across the state.
The first place the alliance will focus on to improve the retention, graduation and academic performance of traditionally underserved students is Yuma. They will be working with Arizona Western College to figure out exactly how to do it.
At the same time, this week we have news of efforts by the Arizona Legislature to expand four-year degree opportunities by allowing state community colleges to offer them. An effort that is now in the State Senate.