Local college launches engineering program

For years, local military, business and government entities have been struggling to recruit enough trained engineers from outside Yuma to keep up with the area's growth.

Now, for the first time, there is a program in place to build some engineering professionals right here at home.

Arizona Western College has expanded its department to offer a full associate's degree and engineering transfer program. This will be done in partnership with several local entities, most prominently, Yuma Proving Ground.

AWC officials announced the launch of the program at a press conference Tuesday. "Things are changing in our county. Things are changing drastically in our city," AWC President Don Schoening said as he addressed the media during the conference. "We're so pleased here at the college that we can be a part of these changes."

Rakesh Pangasa, AWC mathematics and engineering professor, said engineering classes have been in place for about 10 years but this takes it to another level.

The expansion came after Schoening's meetings earlier this year with Yuma Mayor Larry Nelson and economic and military organizations to discuss the need for a professional program here.

"This is the fruition of that. It's excellent timing and a lot faster than I had anticipated," Nelson said.

Pangasa's goal was to start with 20 students this fall. He already has 27 enrolled in his Engineering Design: Introduction and Problem Solving Models classes and said he plans to add more sessions to support up to 45.

"These are the core courses that every engineer - it doesn't matter what discipline or what university the student goes to - they will have to take these two courses," Pangasa said.

But the real strength of this program, Schoening said, is the internships they will offer through partnerships with local entities.

James Wymer, YPG technical director, said they will offer up to 10 internships for AWC engineering students this fall.

"At the freshman level, for the engineering, it’ll be just what I’ll call general engineering," Wymer said. "It's a basic engineering."

Yuma County and city officials, as well as businesses, are also in talks with the college about providing internship opportunities. The goal is to keep young professionals in the community and perhaps attract some from outside.

Chris Camacho, president and chief executive of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., said they've met with more than 65 businesses in the community that need engineering services.

"We’re trying to keep all the talent here in Yuma and this is a good start. It's critical, not only for our local industry but to continue to attract the General Motors-type companies that we’ve brought in over the last few years," Camacho said.

Eventually, Schoening said they want to provide one internship for every engineering student they have.

That experience will be paired with practical classroom work. Pangasa said he plans to incorporate design projects firms are working on in Yuma into his lessons, to show students the practical application of what they're learning.

He said after they finish the 64-credit hour program they will be ready to either get a job or transfer to any university program.

Northern Arizona University in Yuma is also in talks with the main campus in Flagstaff about bringing more upper-level engineering courses to the area.

The Yuma Union High School District has worked with AWC to steer interested students toward the program.

While a full four-year engineering degree is still a distant vision, Roberta Kelly, associate director of student services for NAU-Yuma, said they will work to bring it as close to home as possible.

"That's one of the strengths of Yuma, to say, we can't do this on our own but, if we work together, we can make this happen," Kelly said.