Their Path is Our Passion
![ ]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1703603389/westmecorg/e5az440n9r1voqmwzwbc/DSC05270.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1703603389/westmecorg/e5az440n9r1voqmwzwbc/DSC05270.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1703603389/westmecorg/e5az440n9r1voqmwzwbc/DSC05270.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1703603389/westmecorg/e5az440n9r1voqmwzwbc/DSC05270.jpg","width":1152}])
Juliana Trevino Ramirez has mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears and is hard of hearing. She lives with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, which she has dealt with since birth. Now, when she graduates from Bourgade Catholic High School and completes the Nursing Services program at West-MEC this spring, she will head off to ASU on a full-ride scholarship.
![ ]([{"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.
![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.
![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.
![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.
![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.
![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.
![Writing the Code to Success]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1703603350/westmecorg/sgds5c6q5ijjyaohytwc/JoseCoding1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1703603350/westmecorg/sgds5c6q5ijjyaohytwc/JoseCoding1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1703603350/westmecorg/sgds5c6q5ijjyaohytwc/JoseCoding1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1703603350/westmecorg/sgds5c6q5ijjyaohytwc/JoseCoding1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1703603350/westmecorg/sgds5c6q5ijjyaohytwc/JoseCoding1.jpg","width":1600}])
Jose Gonzalez is a Full Stack Developer for Encore Capital Group. He graduated from the West-MEC coding program in 2017 and has found success in the technical field.
![Drawing Blood Her Own Way]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1703603352/westmecorg/vyqyldpedbwu2m4gde55/MaggieMcclure2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1703603352/westmecorg/vyqyldpedbwu2m4gde55/MaggieMcclure2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1703603352/westmecorg/vyqyldpedbwu2m4gde55/MaggieMcclure2.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1703603352/westmecorg/vyqyldpedbwu2m4gde55/MaggieMcclure2.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1703603352/westmecorg/vyqyldpedbwu2m4gde55/MaggieMcclure2.png","width":1320}])
Maggie McClure has Stargardt macular degeneration, and the impairment has become her motivation to excel in all that she chooses to take on. Now, McClure is one of the top performers in the medical assisting program at West-MEC.
![A Passion for Helping People]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1703603354/westmecorg/epsk1y7rlppgxlr9leqe/IMG_6729.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1703603354/westmecorg/epsk1y7rlppgxlr9leqe/IMG_6729.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1703603354/westmecorg/epsk1y7rlppgxlr9leqe/IMG_6729.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1703603354/westmecorg/epsk1y7rlppgxlr9leqe/IMG_6729.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1703603354/westmecorg/epsk1y7rlppgxlr9leqe/IMG_6729.jpg","width":1600}])
Dani Torres uses her past as an inspiration to step into the medical field and to try to make a positive difference in people's lives.
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.
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.
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.
The cleanroom serves as the foundation of West-MEC's Advanced Manufacturing Program, giving students real-world semiconductor manufacturing experience.
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.