Many people in business and education know West-MEC since I began my role as Superintendent of the Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) in July 2022, but the full spectrum of career and technical education is unknown. I realized that I might not know the . (CTE) specifically offers post-secondary partnerships.

CTE is a great starting point for students, but what’s lost in the confusion is that starting point is more than direct entry into the workforce. West-MEC, a public school district serving the north-central and western parts of Maricopa County, has established strategic industry partnerships to help students make the most of her West-MEC’s ​​20 career paths. The focus is on increasing the number of The same is true for post-secondary partnerships.

CTE is an excellent pathway for students to pursue post-secondary education. All students can benefit from the CTE program whether or not they plan a career that requires further university education.

In 2022, West-MEC students will earn 3,575 college credits, and 70% of program graduates received further education last year. Half of program graduates who furthered their education did so while working in a related industry.

However, many in the community are unaware that West-MEC is affiliated with Maricopa Community College, Northern Arizona University (NAU), and Arizona State University (ASU). Through the Dual Enrollment Program, West-MEC students can earn an associate’s degree in high school.

One of our unique partnerships with NAU, called the 90/30 Pathway, allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree in just one year of attending NAU. Students earning an associate’s degree and her 90 credits from Maricopa Community College can transfer all 90 credits to her NAU. With this pass, a student can get her bachelor’s degree for less than $15,000 and is less likely to graduate with a large amount of debt.

A similar dual enrollment program is available with ASU. The program requires him to earn 60 credits at ASU as he accepts 60-75 transfer credits towards his bachelor’s degree from Maricopa. Again, this process can start at West-MEC.

As West-MEC continues the process of obtaining post-secondary partnerships, it also has partnerships with Yavapai College, Universal Technical Institute, Eastern New Mexico University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Pima Medical Institute, and University of Advancing Technology. I have secured it. West-MEC is continuously considering additions.

February is the month of Career and Technical Education, so it’s time to change the misnomer that CTE is only for students who want to work immediately after completing the program. While that’s what makes CTE so appealing and one of the core focuses of our program, the CTE experience offers students a faster path to further education.

West-MEC encourages all CTE school districts to create unique pathways for their students, no matter what career they want to pursue. Whether you want to get a job right away or pursue further education, our commitment is to enable every student on the path to financial independence.

Dr. Scott Spurgeon is the supervisor of West-MEC.