Photo Credit: Michael Guymon

There’s a growing buzz around Pima’s East Campus and this time it’s not just the hum of technology or fingers hitting the keyboards. It’s the sound of innovation taking shape.

Last week, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs joined Pima Community College and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to celebrate the launch of the Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC). A first of its kind partnership that’s putting students at the forefront of cybersecurity defense.

Housed within Pima’s Center of Excellence in Information Technology and Cybersecurity, the RSOC will not be your typical classroom. With over 900 students already enrolled in cybersecurity classes, this new partnership will offer internships to assist in strengthening the state’s cyber defenses.

Governor Hobbs praised the collaboration as a model for the future of workforce development, highlighting the importance of preparing Arizonans for high-tech, high-wage careers. “We’re building a stronger, safer Arizona, one where opportunity and innovation go hand in hand,” she shared during the announcement.

And that’s exactly what Pima does best.

Through partnerships like this, Pima Community College is connecting education directly to industry, giving students access to state of the art technology, mentorship, and pathways that lead straight into Arizona’s growing cybersecurity sector. From IT and networking to advanced digital defense, students are gaining the skills employers need and the confidence to make an impact from day one.

Pima Foundation is proud to support initiatives like this that open doors for learners of every background. By investing in programs that strengthen the region’s workforce, we’re helping build not only brighter futures for our students, but a safer, more resilient community for all.

As we continue to look toward the future, one thing is certain. Innovation starts at Pima Community College.