MARICOPA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGES DISTRICT FOUNDATION - NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM - TOHONO OODHAM 2017.PDF

Last updated: 05/07/2017
General information
Organization Maricopa County Community Colleges District Foundation
Contact First name Barbara
Contact Last name Roberts
Contact e-mail barbara.roberts@domail.maricopa.edu
Contact phone number 4807318417
Address
Street 2419 W 14th St.
City Tempe
State AZ
ZIP Code 85281
From what tribe is the Tohono O’odham Nation
organization requesting the
grant?
Total grant amount request 75,606
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Nanotechnology Program for Arizona
PROPOSAL
On behalf of Rio Salado College (RSC), the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation requests
$75,606 to increase the number of students and high school teachers who are training in
nanotechnology in Arizona. This project prepares students for jobs in micro- and nanotechnology
industries, as well as related manufacturing industries, and is ideal for students who want a fast track
from education to a viable career path.
Rio Salado College (RSC), an online community college, is one of ten colleges in the Maricopa
County Community College District. RSC serves students across the state and nationally; in
academic year 2015-2016, the College served nearly 55,000 students. More than 27,000 of these
students were online and more than 6,000 were from outside of Arizona.
A) Explain the perceived need and explain how the proposal will address that need.
Nanotechnology Program for Arizona addresses two needs. First, it provides education and
workforce training to community college students across the state. Community colleges are
recognized as an integral component in providing education and workforce training (National
Conference of State Legislatures1). Early research also indicates that earning a vocational certificate
benefits students both in wage earnings and in the likelihood that they will gain employment
(Preparing America’s labor force: Workforce development programs in public community colleges2).
Recognizing the need to provide high-quality education and workforce training programs, RSC
developed the 62-credit hour Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nanotechnology degree and the
corresponding 18-credit hour nanotechnology certificate. RSC is currently the only two-year
community college in Arizona that offers a certificate and Associates degree specifically in
nanotechnology. Through these credentials, RSC provides Arizona residents a high-quality education
that paves the way to a viable career path. Immediately exiting the program(s), students are prepared
for a job. The table3 below indicates 2016 wage data4 for Engineering Technicians (likely the position
that RSC graduates would enter).
Location Pay Period Low Median High
Arizona Hourly $15.98 $26.21 $39.14
Yearly $33,230 $54,530 $81,410
Phoenix – Metro Hourly $15.89 $26.29 $40.65
Yearly $33,060 $54,680 $84,550
Tucson Hourly $14.75 $26.13 $37.92
Yearly $30,680 $54,340 $78,870
1 http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/building-community.aspx
2 https://www.brookings.edu/research/preparing-americas-labor-force-workforce-development-
programs-in-public-community-colleges/
3 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016 wage data external site and 2014-2024 employment
projections external site.
4 https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-3029.11#WagesEmployment
Nanotechnology Program in Arizona 1

Second, Nanotechnology Program for Arizona fills the nanotechnology (and related)
industry need for a highly-qualified workforce. The importance of nanotechnology is evidenced
in the creation of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), a government research and
development initiative established in 2001, as part of the National Science and Technology Council,
which oversees national science and technology policy. As part of their 2016 strategic plan, the NNI
established that a key goal is to “develop and sustain educational resources [and] a skilled
workforce” (Executive Summary, IV5). This is coupled with the fact that the nanotechnology
industry, nationally and globally, is growing and includes not just research and development at a
highly technical level but also product development in industries as diverse as clothing to clean
energy (National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan6).
In Arizona, the local nanotechnology industry demand is also growing; according to O*NET (an
online database with occupational information), job growth7 is expected to increase by 29% by 2024,
and job openings are also expected to increase annually.
Employment Percent Project
United States Annual Job
2014 2024 Change Openings1
Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All other 71,100 69,900 0% 1,710
Employment Percent Project
Arizona Annual Job
2014 2024 Change Openings1
Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All other 1,900 2,450 +29% 100
1Projected Annual Job Openings refers to the average annual job openings due to growth and net
replacement. Occupation Trends FAQs.
In the Phoenix Metro area alone, there are more than 30 microsystems and nanotechnology related
industries and in the Tucson-metro area there are more than 12 (Southwest Center for Microsystems
Education Prototype Industry Mapping Project8). It is highlighted in the NNI Strategic plan that as
these companies expand, there is a need for “a skilled workforce – from the shop floor to the
laboratory” (National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan, p16). The RSC nanotechnology
program will prepare students to enter into careers in these local companies.
Underscoring the importance of a skilled nanotechnology workforce is also the NNI’s objective to
“expand outreach and informal education programs in order to inform the public about the
opportunities and impacts of nanotechnology” (National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan,
p16). The college believes that one mechanism to do this is to introduce nanotechnology concepts
and curriculum at the secondary level. This enables students to learn about nanotechnology (its
impacts, how it relates to other science disciplines, and its application in the real-world), but it also
starts to build a pipeline of students who, through early exposure, may decide to pursue a
nanotechnology education and career path.
5 http://www.nano.gov/sites/default/files/pub_resource/2016-nni-strategic-plan.pdf
6 http://www.nano.gov/node/1676
7 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016 wage data external site and 2014-2024 employment
projections external site.
8 http://www.scme-nm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=357&Itemid=321
Nanotechnology Program in Arizona 2

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Nanotechnology and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in
Nanotechnology include hands-on lab components, some of which can be done remotely through
virtual technology and some which must be done in-person. The CCL courses require over 30 hours
of lab time in total over the six courses, giving students real hands-on experience that is applicable to
industry. Currently, RSC has a partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe for
students to use lab facilities to meet the required lab time. Additionally, the College is developing
new partnerships with industry and/or education institutions to increase lab accessibility for
students who are not located near ASU.
B) Describe the population who will benefit from the proposal if approved.
Given that RSC is an online college, this program is designed for students from across the state of
Arizona who are interested in workforce education and training. Priority preference of scholarships
will be given to students who are from low income and minority demographic groups.
C) Include a budget of the requested funds, with the total amount requested clearly notated.
RSC requests $75,606 to provide scholarships to students and educators interested in
nanotechnology education.
Student Scholarships: Scholarships will be provided for 12 students from across the state and will
cover up to 24 credits that can be applied to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in
Nanotechnology or the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Nanotechnology. Priority preference will
be given to students who are from low income and minority demographic groups. Student
scholarship costs include: tuition for students, the required course fees (where applicable), and
books (where applicable). $66,096
High School Teacher Scholarships: Scholarships will be provided for six high school teachers
from across the state to take two courses: MNT110 and MNT120. Included in their scholarship will
be the costs for the lab kit for MNT120. These two courses apply to the AAS in Nanotechnology if
the teacher chooses to pursue the AAS. These courses will serve as a professional development
opportunity for the high school teachers who can then infuse nanotechnology concepts into high
school curriculum. Through integrating these concepts into the classroom, students may become
more interested in STEM education. Priority preference will be given to teachers who are from
minority demographic groups. Teacher scholarship costs include: tuition for teachers, the
required course fees (where applicable), and books (where applicable). $8,028
Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Administrative Fee: 2% of direct costs. $1,482
Total Budget Request: $75,606
D) List any other funding requests that have been made for this or substantially related
proposals and provide the status of those requests.
No other funding requests have been submitted for this project and no funds have been awarded for
this project.
Nanotechnology Program in Arizona 3

E) Indicate whether the entity has already received a 12% distribution from the Tohono
O’odham Nation or other Arizona tribes, along with the amount and date awarded.
The table below details funding that the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation has received
from the Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community.
Over the last five years, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation has received 12%
distribution funding from Salt-River Pima Maricopa Indian Community on behalf of MCCCD’s
colleges: $75,000 (12/19/2016), $112,000 (12/14/2015), $112,000 (12/17/2014), $14,667
(2/5/2014), $125,003 (12/12/2013), $1,990 (3/13/2013), $149,000 (1/2/2013), and $10,172
(8/15/2012).
F) Identify a designated contact person and alternate contact person for follow-up,
including e-mail address, phone number, mailing address, and fax number.
Designated Contact: Barbara Roberts, Grants Development Specialist
Phone: 480-731-8417
Fax: 480-731-8411
Email: mary.oconnor@domail.maricopa.edu
Mailing Address: 2419 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ, 85281
Alternate Contact: Catherine Crary, Coordinator of Grants, Rio Salado College
Phone: 480-517-8797
Fax: N/A
Email: catherine.crary@riosalado.edu
Mailing Address: 2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ, 85281
G) Indicate which priority area (from the above list) the proposal falls under.
This proposal address priority area A.) Education.
H) If the proposal is from a non-profit organization, include the name of the city, town, or
county an agreement will be made with if funds are granted.
Maricopa County
Nanotechnology Program in Arizona 4