GCC and MCC develop for-credit courses for students
MESA, Arizona -- April 15, 2021 -- Mesa Community College Computer Information Systems (CIS) faculty teaches Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy Cloud Foundations to college and university instructors. The six-week workshop prepares participating Arizona CIS teachers to become AWS Certified Cloud Practitioners, allowing them to teach AWS at their respective institutions.
Sixteen CIS faculty from Arizona and Utah universities and several Arizona community colleges are taking advantage of the no-cost, AWS Cloud Foundations training provided by MCC CIS faculty Dennis Kibbe.
“There are many who know computer networks and not many who know how to architect for the cloud. This was evident when the two inaugural classes for students filled last fall, during the pandemic,” said Kibbe. “We realized, being the only system in the state with curriculum prepared for higher ed, we could help jump start the knowledge base best by aiding our CIS (Computer Information Systems) colleagues. This led to the development of a condensed AWS cloud foundations course for other CIS instructors.”
Kibbe and Andrea Schauer, a colleague from Glendale Community College, developed the Foundations curriculum based on educational material made available by AWS; it is one of four eight-week for-credit courses preparing students to successfully earn AWS certifications, increasing the number of cloud architects in Arizona. MCC is currently the only college in the state teaching for-credit AWS courses. GCC is offering the courses in the summer and fall semesters.
John Bjerke, AWS Academy Program Manager, acknowledges the importance of instructor training to increase access to cloud computing education in institutions of higher education. In Oct. 2020 the AWS Academy announced, along with the Arizona Commerce Authority, its commitment to increase access to cloud computing education in schools across Arizona. The initiative aims to train and certify 5,000 students for entry-level cloud computing careers by June 2022, with continued long-term investments in technical skills training for Arizonans.
Learn more about the IT programs and AWS courses offered by MCC at mesacc.edu (mesacc.edu/workforce-development/miti/programs).
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, MCC, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. For more than 50 years, the college has served 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 at its two campuses, additional locations and a combination of online formats. Through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, MCC is transforming how it champions student success, college completion, university transfer and career attainment and advancement. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution and nearly 50% of its students are the first in their families to attend college. Its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized tribes of Arizona as well as out-of-state tribes. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The diverse student body includes more than 300 international students from 55 countries. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to successfully transfer to a university or compete in the workforce. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visitmesacc.edu to learn more.
MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.
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 www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.