West-MEC Newsroom
ABOUT WEST-MEC COMMUNICATIONS
The West-MEC Communications Department partners with local, regional, and national media to share the stories that highlight student achievement, workforce development, industry partnerships, and the impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE) across Arizona. Whether you're a member of the media or a community member seeking information, our team is here to connect you with the appropriate resources.
Executive Director
As the Exec Director of Comms, Chris oversees all media inquiries, brand standards, graphic design, logo usage, and organizational communications.
Media Relations
Connect with Alyssa for press releases, media advisories, interview requests, and story opportunities featuring West-MEC.
Social Media
Connect with Marisol for social media inquiries, content collaborations, campaign opportunities, and digital engagement.
Photo & Video
Need photos, video, or B-roll? Contact Sean for multimedia assets, event coverage, and visual resources for media and promotional use.
Featured in the Washington Post
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Western Maricopa Education Center, has started offering an “Energy & Manufacturing Systems” course. Students spend two years learning to build and use pumps, valves, hydraulics, electrical wiring, industrial computers and robots. The students we met talked about “flow loops” (the way liquid runs through pipes) with the ease that most teenagers discuss Taylor Swift songs.
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In the News
Featured local, regional, and national news stories highlighting West-MEC.
![West-MEC partners with Backpacks 4 Kids to give haircuts and school supplies]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786049812/westmecorg/busfupgs5bxj8ofjkrab/Backpacks4Kids1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786049812/westmecorg/busfupgs5bxj8ofjkrab/Backpacks4Kids1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786049812/westmecorg/busfupgs5bxj8ofjkrab/Backpacks4Kids1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786049812/westmecorg/busfupgs5bxj8ofjkrab/Backpacks4Kids1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786049812/westmecorg/busfupgs5bxj8ofjkrab/Backpacks4Kids1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1786049812/westmecorg/busfupgs5bxj8ofjkrab/Backpacks4Kids1.jpg","width":2200}])
As families prepare for the start of a new school year, West-MEC students and Backpacks 4 Kids, are giving back by helping children leave with fresh haircuts, school supplies and a confidence boost.
![Ribbon Cutting]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786048708/westmecorg/mdd2j8eihqfs3c4gkryy/SoutheastCampusRibbonCutting.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786048708/westmecorg/mdd2j8eihqfs3c4gkryy/SoutheastCampusRibbonCutting.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786048708/westmecorg/mdd2j8eihqfs3c4gkryy/SoutheastCampusRibbonCutting.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786048708/westmecorg/mdd2j8eihqfs3c4gkryy/SoutheastCampusRibbonCutting.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786048708/westmecorg/mdd2j8eihqfs3c4gkryy/SoutheastCampusRibbonCutting.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1786048708/westmecorg/mdd2j8eihqfs3c4gkryy/SoutheastCampusRibbonCutting.jpg","width":2200}])
The Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) recently celebrated two major milestones — the opening of Phase 1 of the Southeast Campus and the groundbreaking for Phase 2.
![Cleanroom ribbon cutting]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786045501/westmecorg/qzqycg2zd1v4exbe2yxf/Cleanroom.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786045501/westmecorg/qzqycg2zd1v4exbe2yxf/Cleanroom.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786045501/westmecorg/qzqycg2zd1v4exbe2yxf/Cleanroom.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786045501/westmecorg/qzqycg2zd1v4exbe2yxf/Cleanroom.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786045501/westmecorg/qzqycg2zd1v4exbe2yxf/Cleanroom.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1786045501/westmecorg/qzqycg2zd1v4exbe2yxf/Cleanroom.jpg","width":1920}])
The cleanroom serves as the foundation of West-MEC's Advanced Manufacturing Program, giving students real-world semiconductor manufacturing experience.
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Moments of Orange Impact
Explore archived and untold stories highlighting the people, programs, and moments making an impact across West-MEC.
![Firefighter with Fire Engine]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1786046087/westmecorg/kmwdsnphpqo2ugu0bzzv/JaredBaker.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1786046087/westmecorg/kmwdsnphpqo2ugu0bzzv/JaredBaker.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1786046087/westmecorg/kmwdsnphpqo2ugu0bzzv/JaredBaker.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1786046087/westmecorg/kmwdsnphpqo2ugu0bzzv/JaredBaker.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1786046087/westmecorg/kmwdsnphpqo2ugu0bzzv/JaredBaker.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1786046087/westmecorg/kmwdsnphpqo2ugu0bzzv/JaredBaker.jpg","width":2200}])
For most aspiring firefighters, the path to the profession is long, competitive and often expensive. For Jared Baker, that journey started before he graduated high school, giving him a head start that set him apart in one of the most rigorous hiring processes in the state.
![West-MEC Graduate Plays Part in Helping the World Obtain Health for All]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1722012476/westmecorg/nxhojujlhveouya5wew5/DSC012631.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1722012476/westmecorg/nxhojujlhveouya5wew5/DSC012631.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1722012476/westmecorg/nxhojujlhveouya5wew5/DSC012631.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1722012476/westmecorg/nxhojujlhveouya5wew5/DSC012631.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1722012476/westmecorg/nxhojujlhveouya5wew5/DSC012631.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1722012476/westmecorg/nxhojujlhveouya5wew5/DSC012631.jpg","width":2048}])
Connor Mattingly completed the EMT program at West-MEC in 2012. Today, he is the Associate Registered Nurse (RN) Director at Banner Health. He cites West-MEC as the jump start to his career in the medical field.
![ ]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1703603391/westmecorg/kywlchrheqyjsp9aanwu/DSC07210.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1703603391/westmecorg/kywlchrheqyjsp9aanwu/DSC07210.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1703603391/westmecorg/kywlchrheqyjsp9aanwu/DSC07210.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1703603391/westmecorg/kywlchrheqyjsp9aanwu/DSC07210.jpg","width":1152}])
Erik Whipple is a former Project SEARCH student who graduated from the 9-month program in 2018. Five years later, he is still working for the Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa, where his Project SEARCH internship took place, and he is excelling in his role.