October 08, 2021
Pres. Garvey and stakeholders cutting ribbon at Tucson campus

(TUCSON, AZ) - University President John Garvey joined Lee Lambert, chancellor of Pima Community College (PCC) in Tucson, local business leaders, and students on Oct. 6, 2021, to launch an innovative partnership that will give Tucson residents an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in management from Catholic University while remaining in Tucson. Many of the students will be the first in their family to go to college.

The program, which is based at PCC’s Downtown Campus, was launched in 2020, but the ribbon cutting was delayed one year due to the pandemic.

Using a hybrid model and a curriculum developed by the higher education partners in consultation with local business leaders, students earn an associate degree with specialized courses from PCC and Catholic’s premier faculty. The credits transfer toward a business degree in general management from Catholic University. 

The program also provides students access to paid and credit internships with local employers as early as their first year and opportunities for post-graduate job placement. Students are welcome regardless of religious affiliation.

“When I heard about this innovative Catholic University program, with its desire to form deep partnerships with local Tucson employers, I just had to collaborate,” said Jim Click Jr., president of the Jim Click Automotive Team. “This is a wonderfully amazing opportunity for our young people right here in Tucson.”

In-person classes, held two to three days a week at PCC’s downtown campus, are combined with online classes designed by Catholic University’s faculty in Washington, D.C., and led in person with local instructors. 

“Even though the university is based in Washington D.C., we appreciate Catholic University’s efforts over the past several years to develop a program that’s highly tailored to local students and serves local workforce needs,” said Pima Community College Chancellor Lee Lambert. “The applied nature of the business program fits squarely into our philosophy to build theory into practice and connect to local employers.”

The cost of the program, which is projected to have 25 students enter per year, is under $10,000. Through the generosity of Tucson-area business leaders, Jim Click Jr. and Humberto S. Lopez, students at this time also can receive a $3,000 scholarship toward tuition. 

“With this new program, we look to providing a high-quality, Catholic undergraduate education that is affordable, opening a new pathway for students in the Tucson area to realize their college dreams,” said Garvey.