Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College

This spring, 17 fourth-semester student nurses were inducted into the Alpha Delta Nu-Iota Theta (IT) Chapter of the Organization of Associate Degree Nurses (OADN) Honor Society at Arizona Western College, an accomplishment that demonstrates not only academic excellence but also a commitment to serving the Yuma community.

“Watching our students grow into compassionate, skilled, and dedicated nursing professionals has been one of the greatest privileges of this program,” AWC faculty advisor Amber Ortega reflected. “While this honor recognizes academic excellence and leadership, it also reflects their heart for service, their humanity, and their commitment to caring for others beyond the classroom and clinical setting. These students represent the future of nursing not only through their achievements, but through the compassion, integrity, and selfless service.”

To be eligible for the honor society, students must maintain a B in all nursing program courses and complete a community service project of their choice. This semester, students led a community effort to distribute over 250 care packages to homeless in the community.

A total of 68 students have been inducted into the IT Chapter since its inception in 2024. Now concluding its second academic year, the chapter has roughly 50 active members and anticipates another cohort of eligible students in the fall.

Arizona Western College has been selected as one of only three institutions in the country to participate in the U.S.-India Partnership Lab, a national initiative led by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and funded by the Cognizant Foundation.

Through the program, AWC will collaborate with leading institutions in India to advance industry-aligned workforce programs and explore applied uses of artificial intelligence.

“We are honored to be selected for this highly competitive national initiative and excited to engage in a meaningful global partnership,” shared Dr. Reetika Dhawan, incoming AWC President. “This work will go beyond a single project. Our focus is to co-develop AI-enabled, workforce-driven solutions that create real pathways for students into high-wage, high-demand careers, while positioning AWC as a global leader in innovation, workforce development, and applied learning.”

Over the course of the year-long program, partner institutions will collaborate through virtual and in-person engagements to design and implement an AI-enabled workforce project and establish a long-term global partnership framework.

Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College officially opened the Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Wellton, Ariz., a 5,600-square-foot facility designed to expand hands-on training in high-demand industries.

To celebrate the event, Arizona Western College leadership was joined by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), local government, academic leaders, and construction partners.

“We are delivering economic opportunity to Yuma County and rural Arizona,” said Governor Hobbs. “I have made it a priority to ensure every Arizonan, no matter where they live, has access to the education and training needed to succeed in our growing economy. This Future48 Workforce Accelerator will prepare Arizonans for family-sustaining careers in critical industries that are driving our state’s economy forward.”

Designed to meet the evolving needs of regional employers, the multi-purpose facility supports training in electrical technology, advanced manufacturing, broadband fiber optics, and solar installation. A standout feature of the building is its adaptability—high ceilings and large bi-fold doors create a space where equipment can be easily reconfigured as workforce demands change.

“Arizona Western College is proud to celebrate the opening of the Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Wellton as a major step forward in strengthening our region’s workforce ecosystem,” said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, CEO of Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College & Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare Programs. “This facility represents the power of collaboration between education, industry, and community partners to create real pathways to high-wage, high-demand careers. We are excited about the opportunities this center will provide to our students and the long-term economic impact it will have across Yuma County and beyond.”

Program development is guided by direct input from industry partners, ensuring alignment with real workforce needs. These partners include TRAX International, the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, General Motors Desert Proving Ground, The Gowan Company, ALLO Fiber, D&H Electric, Sunray Electric, and Yuma Electric.

“We’re excited to see the Future48 Workforce Accelerator officially open,” said Randy Polage, Instrumentation and Data Services Manager for TRAX International. “This facility reflects the strong partnership between AWC and local industry, strengthening hands-on training aligned with workforce needs and helping ensure Yuma’s workforce is prepared to meet current and future demand in support of our industry and military partners.”

The Accelerator is supported by a $3.6 million investment from the ACA to design, construct, and equip the facility, positioning Wellton and AWC as a key hub for workforce innovation in the region. The building was designed by local engineering firm Sternco Engineers and built by Pilkington Construction Company.

“The opening of the Future48 Workforce Accelerator in Wellton showcases Arizona’s commitment to growing our skilled workforce statewide, including rural communities,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “The new facility will provide customized training that expands economic opportunity and meets the needs of industry. We are grateful to Governor Hobbs, Arizona Western College, and all of the industry partners for their collaboration to strengthen the talent pipeline in Yuma County and rural Arizona.”

This facility is part of the Future48 Workforce Accelerator network, a $30 million investment by the ACA to establish advanced manufacturing training facilities across the state in partnership with local community colleges. The Future48 network includes facilities in Kingman, Tucson, Mesa, Phoenix, Apache Junction, and Pinal County.

Representatives from the AWC Nursing program were invited to join the presentation Monday morning at the Yuma County Board of Supervisors meeting in honor of Nurses Month (May) and Nurses Week (May 6-12). The proclamations were presented to Diana Gomez, Chief Health Officer for the Yuma County Public Health District.