(PHOENIX, Ariz., April 8, 2004) – Imagine one location that offers Math and Science majors specialized tutoring, access to guest speakers and field trips, academic and career advisement, a unique faculty/student mentor program and student club activities geared especially toward Math and Science majors. Could such a place exist?

Certainly, and it is housed upstairs in the Phoenix College Fannin Library. The college recently opened the doors to this specialized center, which instructors hope will become the central hub for math and science majors at the school. Ideally, this unique center was designed to encourage low-income and minority students to pursue careers in math and science; however, the center can be utilized by all math and science majors. Additionally, the center provides them with the tools they need to succeed in course completion and career placement.

Currently the Math and Science Center is open on a reduced schedule and will begin its regular scheduled hours in Fall 2004. However, Phoenix College will offer faculty, staff, students and the public a special preview of the center on Friday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The grant application submitted by the college reveals that, "by creating a Math and Science Center that has, as part of its mission, the encouragement and support of underrepresented students to consider careers they might not otherwise have considered and the on-going support to help all students succeed in higher level science, we will promote long term economic and academic success among Hispanic students and achieve higher numbers of University transfers among Hispanic students."

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, "nearly 60 percent of the new jobs in the 21st century will require skills held by only 20 percent of today’s workforce."

As the demand for qualified math and science graduates continues to increase, Phoenix College is preparing its graduates to become workforce ready. In addition to all the in-house components offered by the Math and Science Center, it also features a valuable link to the community.

"Through the Math and Science Center, students will have an instant connection to community professionals and organizations," said Phoenix College Title V Program Director, Maria Enciso. "The Center will allow us to bring in guest speakers…math and science professionals to address issues facing this specialized field. We also plan to organize field trips where students will have the opportunity to visit with math and science professionals out in the workforce. This community connection allows students to see their chosen profession in action, which allows them to truly understand what it is all about."

The Math and Science Center contains:

--10 wireless laptops with math and science software;
--Research material;
--Math and science tutorials (computer, DVD and video);
--Manipulatives – puzzles, charts, graphs, etc.;
--Academic, transfer and career advisors;
--Review sessions for mid-terms and finals;
--Math and Science faculty during their office hours;
--Access to guest speakers and field trips; and,
--A Math and Science student club.

The development of the Math and Science Center was made possible thanks to Title V funding. In Fall 2000, Phoenix College joined more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide when it was named a Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institution. The funding, in the form of a capacity building grant, is designed to strengthen existing college systems so they can better serve underrepresented minorities and low-income students. Additionally, designing the structure of the center was a collaborative effort among faculty, staff and various college service areas.

Spring and Summer hours are:

Monday – Thursday (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Wednesday – Thursday (5 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
Friday (8 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

For more information on the new Math and Science Center, please call (602) 285-7908.

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