Multiversity Campus: ‘Our vision is not a mirage’
Foundation receives additional financial support
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Multiversity Campus (YMVC) has a vision to bridge higher education, industry and prospective talent to further expand skilled-labor opportunities both now, and in the future.
One way the City of Yuma helps to make this vision a reality, is through the support of the Yuma Multiversity Campus, which will serve as an educational hub for existing institutions of higher education and their various degree programs.
Surviving off of grant funds, the Yuma Multiversity Campus Corporation's recently received an additional endowment from the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) to fund its Phase Two Feasibility Study. This study is a strategic assessment and market analysis, meant to assess regional employers' present and future need for a skilled workforce.
“As the state’s largest independent provider of college scholarships, ACF understands the importance of higher education,” said Steve Seleznow, ACF President & CEO. “But even more importantly, we understand the very necessary groundwork that is needed to enact system change for broad community impact. For those reasons, the YVMC study aligns perfectly with our vision for building a better Arizona.”
There appears to be a direct link between higher education access and degree attainment. Coconino County, home of Northern Arizona University, boasts 50% more adults with a bachelor's degree or higher as compared to Yuma County, even though their overall population is much smaller.
Those advanced skills can lead to greater success in attracting high-tech employers. Flagstaff, located in Coconino County, recently announced a new $60 million vehicle components manufacturer that will ultimately bring 350 new jobs to the community. That project broke ground last month.
