A recent tour by Eastern Arizona College’s District Executive Team confirmed that construction of the College’s new cosmetology and healthcare facility remains on schedule and on budget, with completion anticipated ahead of the Fall 2026 semester. The District Executive Team – comprised of President Todd Haynie, Vice President of Administration Heston Welker, Vice President of Academics and Student Affairs Susan Wood, Chief Government Relations Officer Keith Alexander, and Chief Information Officer Tom Thompson – is the College’s senior leadership group responsible for institutional planning, operations, and student success.

Located just south of U.S. Highway 70 on the east side of College Avenue in Thatcher, the new19,300-square-foot cosmetology and healthcare facility will double the capacity of EA’s in-demand Cosmetology Program and expand access to community healthcare services through the new Copper Mountain Clinic Thatcher.

Passersby can see visible progress at the cosmetology building, where the exterior brick veneer is now complete, and the storefront system is underway. Inside, walls have been textured, allowing painting and ceiling grid installation to begin. Crews are finalizing conduit pathways in preparation for electrical panel placement. Building signage, currently in production, will feature the College’s distinctive EA shield, illuminated in purple and gold.

On the northern end of the project, construction of the Copper Mountain Clinic Thatcher is advancing steadily. Walls are fully framed, and plumbing, electrical, and mechanical rough-ins are nearly complete. Brick veneer installation has also begun. Across the site, backfilling of stormwater retention tanks is finished, and rough grading has started. Work is progressing on the north parking lot, while the east side of the building is being prepped for curbing and equipment pads for the new transformer and service entrance section.

“This project is not only ahead of schedule and on budget, but it’s a testament to what can be accomplished through careful planning and strong partnerships,” said Heston Welker, EA vice president of administration. “I’m grateful for the dedication of CORE Construction, SPS+ Architects, and EA’s Facility Planning and Construction Department. Their work will serve our students and community for generations to come.”

The $15 million project is being funded through EA reserve funds and state support—without the need for bonding or tax increases. College officials credited state leaders’ support for helping make the project a reality.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Senator David Gowan, Representative Gail Griffin, and Representative Lupe Diaz for championing state funding that directly supports our students and communities,” said Todd Haynie, EA president. “Their continued support helps us expand opportunities and meet workforce needs across the Gila Valley.”

For more than a decade, EA’s Cosmetology Program has operated with a waitlist due to high demand. The new facility will feature modern training spaces, including classrooms, full-service salons, and specialized areas for skincare and nail care. Students will receive real-world, hands-on instruction that prepares them for immediate employment in the industry.

Adjacent to the Cosmetology Program, the Copper Mountain Clinic Thatcher will provide expanded primary care and behavioral health services to the region. The facility will also serve as a clinical training site for EA students in healthcare programs such as phlebotomy, imaging, and medical assisting—ensuring graduates are career-ready and experienced in real medical environments.

Designed by SPS+ Architects, the project emphasizes functionality and community engagement. CORE Construction, one of Arizona’s leading builders of public-sector facilities, is managing the build. Both firms are working closely with the College to ensure the facility meets the long-term needs of students, faculty, and the surrounding community.

“This project demonstrates our commitment to providing hands-on, career-ready education in cosmetology and healthcare,” Haynie said. “It’s a transformational space that will serve our students and community for generations.”

EA Director of Facility Planning and Construction Jeremy Hughes speaks with Susan Wood, EA vice president of academic and student affairs, in the future walkway between the cosmetology building and the Copper Mountain Clinic Thatcher. (Photo by Sophia Saldana, Eastern Arizona College)

Kevin Peck, EA dean of business, computers, ITE and prisons, and Heston Welker, EA vice president of administration, discuss the layout of the training area inside the new cosmetology building, which is expected to open before the Fall 2026 semester.