Last Thursday, the Gila County Provisional Community College District celebrated its 20th anniversary, discussed the district’s history and future, toured Eastern Arizona College’s Gila Pueblo campus, and had dinner on campus.

Twenty years ago this month, on March 4, 2003, the district’s charter was filed, but its origins go back even further. Until 2002 when electoral districts were formed by taxation with voter approval. Today, the district has signed an educational services agreement with Eastern Arizona Colleges to host students at the Gila Pueblo Campus, Payson Campus, Grove Miami Regional Training Center, and Hayden Wellness Center. In 2022, with the support of Gila County, the school district hired its first interim university president, Dr. Janice Lawhorn. From her 2020 to her 2022, Gila She served as senior dean of the Pueblo and Payson campuses.

In addition to degrees and certificates from the EAC, the district offers dual enrollment in partnership with Cobre Valley Institute of Technology, Northern Arizona Institute of Technology, and high schools and advanced schools throughout Gila County. The district and its educational mission are funded by property taxes, state funds, tuition and fees, and individual donations and grants.

The district also looks ahead by taking steps towards independence, including building sustainable infrastructure, obtaining regional accreditation through the Higher Education Commission, and reaching fully organized status in Arizona. I’m here.