Eastern Arizona College celebrated the opening of its new facility in Pima with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that brought together College leadership, local government officials, education partners, instructors, students, and community members.

This marks a historic milestone for the College as the first official facility in the Town of Pima. The site houses hands-on programs, including welding, woodworking, upholstery, and lapidary, and gem faceting. Additional programs will be developed as demand rises.

“On a personal note, it is an honor and a privilege for me to be here,” said EA President Todd Haynie. “My great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my father all grew up in Pima. My grandfather, Clarence Haynie, served as mayor of Pima, and my father graduated from Pima High School just over there. I have deep roots in this town and this community, and it means a great deal to represent the College here today.”

Haynie emphasized that the expansion reflects the College’s long-standing mission. “Since 1888, Eastern Arizona College has existed to create opportunity, uplift individuals, and prepare students for what comes next,” he said. “That same vision is clearly shared here in Pima. The new Pima High School reflects the pride, foresight, and investment this community has made in its students and its future. We’re proud to be part of that progress and to build strong pathways from high school to college to careers and lifelong success.”

Kevin Peck, dean of business, computers, industrial technology, and prisons at EA, highlighted the partnerships that enabled the project. Peck thanked the Gila Institute for Technology “for their partnership, commitment to student success, and generous financial support in helping bring this project to life.”

“We are also very grateful for a generous grant from The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation in support of the Forging Opportunity: Rural Welding Expansion Project,” Peck said. “These funds allowed us to expand the welding lab with six additional welding bays, complete essential HVAC and electrical upgrades, and invest in what matters most — our students and their future success.”

Peck explained that the Pima site will continue to serve high school students through GIFT, with hundreds who “enroll in Eastern Arizona College classes each year while still in high school to gain real-world experience and a clearer sense of what they want to do next.”

The facility will also serve adult learners. Peck encouraged Arizona residents aged 55 and older to enroll in tuition-free classes. “So, if you are 55 or better and have ever thought, ‘I’d really like to try that,’ this is your invitation,” he said. “Come take a class. Come learn a new skill. Come be part of this place.”

Nia Berume, a GIFT student from Pima, shared firsthand how the programs offered in this facility are already shaping futures, “Being in the GIFT program is a great blessing. Participating in it has taught all of us very valuable lessons — not only how to weld, but other life skills as well.”

Berume added, “Coming to this class is definitely the best part of my day, and many of my classmates agree. We’ve learned how to read a tape measure, how to build things, and how to use important tools. I’m very grateful to everybody at the College, and especially my teacher, Mr. Van Green.”

Former Pima Unified School District Superintendent Sean Rickert emphasized the project’s community-driven nature. “When I learned there were students who wanted to take welding classes but couldn’t due to capacity, it immediately made sense,” Rickert said. “We had a welding lab that would otherwise sit unused. By pulling resources together with a great team, we were able to meet a real community need. That’s what this is about — the community coming together to meet the needs of its people.”

Local leaders underscored the facility’s importance as Pima continues to grow. Teresa Bailey, vice mayor of the Town of Pima, said, “What a great day for Pima. Our community is experiencing one of the strongest growth periods we’ve ever seen. In fact, Pima’s population growth is outpacing the state average — a sign of momentum, confidence, and opportunity.”

Bailey added, “But growth only matters when it’s matched with opportunity. That’s why today’s ribbon-cutting represents more than just a building. It represents progress, partnership, and promise — promise for students, promise for our workforce, and promise for our community. This facility brings education, workforce training, and lifelong learning directly into Pima.”

Clay Emery, superintendent of the Gila Institute for Technology, highlighted the scale of student impact. “Today is a great example of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared vision to benefit students,” Emery said. “This year, GIFT, in partnership with Eastern Arizona College, enrolled more than 600 students in Graham and Greenlee counties through early college programs. When combined with other dual and concurrent enrollment programs, that number exceeds 1,000 students.”

He added, “Even more importantly, last year 150 GIFT students participated in Eastern Arizona College commencement. One hundred earned certificates in fields like welding or HVAC, and 50 earned associate degrees — walking at college graduation the day before their high school graduation. This facility doubles our welding capacity immediately, allowing us to serve students who were previously waiting for space.”

Haynie closed by noting the broader significance of the expansion. “Today’s ribbon cutting represents more than a building,” he said. “It represents opportunity — a place where students learn by doing, skills are built, confidence grows, and futures begin to take shape.”

To enroll in classes, visit www.eac.edu or call (928) 428-8270.

Eastern Arizona College President Todd Haynie joins college leadership, local officials, and education partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of EAC’s industrial technology facility in Pima. The facility expands hands-on workforce training and lifelong learning opportunities for students across the Gila Valley. Photo by Taylor Ellett / Eastern Arizona College

Welding instructor Van Green works with Pima GIFT student Nia Berume inside Eastern Arizona College’s new industrial technology facility in Pima. The facility supports hands-on programs that prepare students for high-demand jobs. Photo by Taylor Ellett / Eastern Arizona College