First Quarter 2018

Bill - Newsletter

The Quick Jab

by Bill Jabjiniak

Mesa, AZ; a growing hub for advanced manufacturing

Manufacturing is an important part of Mesa’s economy employing more than 17,000 people and bringing substantial investment into our community.[i] In fact, manufacturers contributed $2.18 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2016, and for every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.89 is added to the nation’s economy. This is the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector. Furthermore, for every one worker in manufacturing, there are another four employees hired elsewhere.[ii]

A Growing Cluster

Today, Mesa manufacturers are moving into the era of “advanced manufacturing” by researching, developing, and implementing innovations that push the edge of existing technologies.

Cybersecurity conference coming to Mesasource conf

Mesa welcomes SOURCE Conference, a premier cybersecurity and information security training conference to the Mesa Convention Center February 26 through March 1.

SOURCE Conference brings business, technology, and security professionals together under one roof to focus on real-world, practical security solutions for some of today's toughest cybersecurity issues. For more information or to register visit www.sourceconference.com.

 

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HIGHER EDUCATION ROUNDUP

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ATSU delivered more than $50,000 of treatment to locals in need

This fall, A.T. Still University (ATSU) hosted several events, providing free healthcare services to community members, while preparing students to be compassionate healthcare providers.

In September, ATSU hosted approximately 200 children from local Title I schools for a back-to-school health fair. Children received free health, hearing, vision, and dental screenings. The event was hosted in partnership with local nonprofit organization, Corbin’s Legacy.

The following month, students and faculty from ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) provided free dental care to 73 adults with special needs at the seventh annual Day for Special Smiles. Nearly 200 dentists and dental students volunteered at the event to provide exams, X-rays, cleanings, fluoride varnish, sealants, fillings, extractions, and root canals to patients who would not otherwise have access to care. In total, ATSU-ASDOH provided treatment valued at $22,730.

Students and faculty from ATSU-ASDOH joined forces with CARE Partnership to provide free dental services to underserved Mesa families. Nearly 90 volunteers participated to provide more than 200 people with preventive dental services and education, valued at $30,293.

In addition to meeting community needs, these events create invaluable learning opportunities for ATSU students. The prospective healthcare professionals gain valuable experience working with underserved patient populations, preparing them for a career of service. www.atsu.edu


BenU logo 

BenU Mesa Business Club lands long-term sponsor from Western State Bank

BenU Mesa secured a long-term sponsor for its Business Club in Andy Strand, President of the Arizona Charter of Western State Bank.  BenU Mesa's Business Club is designed for business majors to assist in finding internships for students, hosting social events, guest speakers, and field trips based upon membership interests.

On Friday, Dec. 1, Strand presented BenU Mesa Business Club president Miranda Lippolt with a $500 check and the promise of future donations to the club, and internship opportunities for students majoring in Business.

Strand explained the numerous opportunities internships provide to students, pointing out that the experience one learns in a job setting is vital to landing a full-time gig after graduation; not to mention the chance to network with other companies.

“Those who can demonstrate that they can go to school and be a part of an internship program definitely have a leg up on the competition,” Strand said.

For more information, contact Charles Johnson at 602-300-8176. www.ben.edu/mesa


NAU 

Projected nursing shortage focus of joint NAU / Mesa Community College program

Arizona will have the worst nursing shortage in the country by the year 2025 according to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The report projects the state will run a deficit of more than 28,000 nurses to care for aging baby boomers.

Responding to the shortage, Mesa Community College (MCC) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) are partnering on a program that is putting approximately 200 Mesa students into the nursing degree pipeline every year. Under NAU’s Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP), students take classes concurrently at MCC and NAU and earn an Associate of Applied Sciences in Nursing (AAS) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in two and a half years. The program not only saves time, but also cuts the total cost of a BSN by more than a third.

“The CEP agreement with NAU and MCC allows students to complete both the AAS and BSN degrees in two years while keeping costs reasonable and realistic,” Charles "Wes" Foster, a nursing faculty member at Mesa Community College said.

Nurses who have completed their BSN are highly valued by potential employers. Research shows patients have better outcomes with nurses who have earned a bachelor’s degree. The Institute of Medicine recommends that 80% of nurses in the U.S. should have a BSN by 2020.

“When hospitals started emphasizing the need for bachelor’s prepared nurses, NAU and the Maricopa Community Colleges designed this streamlined pathway to provide more BSN prepared nurses in local communities,” Doug Small, Director of Educational Partnerships at NAU said. “The program has been a terrific success and more importantly, it serves a great need for highly trained medical professionals in the City of Mesa.” 

For more information about the Concurrent Enrollment Nursing Program, contact NAU at 1-800-628-0040 or email ec.admissions@nau.edu.

 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

VisitMesa logo

Visit Mesa launches all new Adventure Explorer Guide

The brand-new Adventure Explorer Guide published by Visit Mesa is available now for residents and visitors wanting to know more about the Sonoran Desert surrounding Arizona’s third largest city and the many ways to get outside and enjoy this popular offering when visiting the Southwest.

This guide is focused solely on desert exploration produced by Mesa’s destination marketing organization who created the piece in response to visitor demand. The pocket guide outlines numerous ways to discover the unique and exotic terrain on display in the Sonoran Desert which is located in two states, Arizona and California, as well as parts of Mexico. 

Laid out in themed sections, the guide features detailed information on trails, Sonoran Desert statistics, water recreation, night skies, camping, a field guide, and photo directory to desert wildlife, birding, and desert vegetation, as well as a complete attractions and outfitters listing. The guide features an outdoor adventure map paired with a Before-You-Go list of safety tips that will prepare guests for accessing the Sonoran Desert. The Treasured Trails section highlights 15 different trails ranging in level of difficulty that can be found within city limits and throughout the adjacent Tonto National Forest, which includes the Four Peaks and Superstition Wilderness areas. The guide also highlights the historic Apache Trail, located east of Mesa, and outlines the attractions that make up this scenic byway that gains access to two lakes. The complimentary Adventure Explorer Guide is available at the Mesa Visitors Center located at 120 N. Center and available for download at www.visitmesa.com/lifestyles/adventure-explorer.