Career and Technical Education Collaboration Expands to Sahuarita

Sept. 12, 2024
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Liesl Folks and Manuel Valenzuela, SUSD Superintendent, sign the MOU

On September 10, 2024, the University of Arizona signed a memorandum of understanding with Sahuarita Unified School District to develop and expand the Career and Technical Education - Semiconductor Manufacturing (CTE-SM) program to Sahuarita following the program’s pilot launch next fall.

Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing Director Liesl Folks signed the MOU with SUSD Superintendent Manuel O. Valenzuela. 

The two-year CTE-SM program, the first in the nation, with curriculum developed by U of A and Chandler Unified School District, will launch fall 2025 at Hamilton High School in Chandler. The program will equip students with hands-on training and practical skills essential for career success in the semiconductor sector and will be made available to schools across the state and nation after launch. Like all CTE programs, established academic pathways will allow students to continue to community college or university degrees for further education if they so choose, with college credits for completing the CTE-SM.

CSM, in collaboration with industry and academic partners, actively seeks to provide students of all ages with pathways to success in high-demand, high-wage careers in the semiconductor industry.

 

 

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Sahuarita USD representatives post with CSM Director Liesl Folks at MOU signing

MOU signing between U of A and Sahuarita USD on Sept. 10, 2024. Back Row, L-R: Scott Downs, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services; Manny Villa, Chief Information Officer; Josh Fields, Director of Career & Technical Education; Raul Rodriguez, Sahuarita USD Governing Board Member; Denise Reis, Sahuarita USD Governing Board Clerk; Brett Bonner, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services. Front Row, L-R: Tom Murphy, Mayor, Town of Sahuarita; Dr. Manuel Valenzuela, Superintendent; Dr. Liesl Folks, Director, Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing; Shari Lowell, Sahuarita USD Governing Board President