MESA, Arizona – Dec. 16, 2020 – Empire Southwest partners with Mesa Community College and Northern Arizona University to help employees continue their education and earn college degrees. This collaboration provides a convenient path toward earning a professional certificate or an associate’s degree from MCC as well as a bachelor’s degree from NAU.
“Empire Southwest is proud to have a relationship with MCC and NAU,” said Jim Smith, Empire’s executive vice president. “At Empire, we realize the need to have employees with a wide variety of skills and talents. While we have a large percentage of our employee population in the skilled industrial trades, we also must continue to develop employees in all aspects of our business. The partnership with MCC and NAU coupled with the large investments Empire has made in training and development programs is a win-win for all those who want to take advantage of this opportunity.”
With this partnership, Empire employees can receive college credits by completing 16 corporate training sessions from the Empire Training Institute. The credits can then be applied toward a Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Organizational Leadership and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Organizational Management through MCC.
After employees have completed their courses at MCC, they can transfer up to 90 college credits toward a bachelor of interdisciplinary studies in industrial leadership from NAU. Employees can complete the remaining 10 NAU courses (30 credits) through NAU at Mesa Community College or online.
“Our faculty assessed the learning objectives of Empire training to match to our courses and as a result, we are now able to accelerate Empire employees opportunity to earn a degree at MCC with an established pathway to a bachelor’s program at NAU,” said Michael Voss, MCC dean of career and technical education. “This collaboration with Arizona higher education creates a local option for Empire employees as an alternative to the company’s current agreement to send employees out of state to participate in advanced leadership training.”
NAU’s industrial leadership curriculum is designed to train future leaders who are employed in the fields of construction, manufacturing and production. The coursework incorporates relevant, real-world content while emphasizing communication, collaboration and teamwork.
“A workforce with diverse skill sets is critical to Arizona’s new economy and we are grateful to our statewide community college and business partners for the comprehensive vision that allows us to advance successful programs,” said NAU President Rita Cheng. “At NAU, we recognize the quality learning experiences taking place at Empire. It is important that we incorporate this training into our degree programs to advance the education of working professionals. Our partnership with Mesa Community College makes this pathway a very affordable and streamlined experience for students.”
The collaboration between Empire, MCC and NAU provides an efficient and cost-effective model for employees to improve their skills, expand their knowledge and earn their college degrees as they continue their career at Empire Southwest.
Details about the Empire Southwest employee program are available on MCC’s website, mesacc.edu.
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, MCC, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892
Empire Southwest is an authorized Cat® dealer for heavy equipment and power systems throughout Arizona and Southeastern California. In addition, Empire is a provider of commercial SunPower solar products, an authorized AGCO agriculture equipment dealer, and a premiere distributor of MAC, Fuso, Maintainer and other leading truck and trailer brands. The third-generation, family owned company was founded in 1950 and has over 2,000 employees across 22 locations. Empire’s affiliate technology companies include SITECH Southwest, Allen Instruments, Take-off Professionals (TOPS), and BuildingPoint West. Learn more about Empire's products, services, partnerships, and careers at empirecat.com.
Northern Arizona Universityis a high-research institution providing exceptional educational opportunities in Arizona and beyond. NAU delivers a student-centered experience to its nearly 30,000 students in Flagstaff, statewide and online through rigorous academic programs in a supportive, inclusive and diverse environment. Dedicated, world-renowned faculty help ensure students achieve academic excellence, experience personal growth, have meaningful research opportunities and are positioned for personal and professional success. Visit NAU.edu to learn more.
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 150 community colleges in the United States and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs online and at its two campuses and additional locations. Through the implementation of Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services, MCC is transforming ways it champions student success; college completion, university transfer and career attainment for all students. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution with a diverse student body, including more than 400 international students representing over 60 countries, who enrich campus learning experiences. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training to empower MCC students to compete locally and globally. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Learn more at mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.