Top of page
Skip to main content
Honoring the Legacy of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva

@PimaNews

You also can view @PimaNews in your browser.


April 17, 2025

  • College Updates
    • Help Us Amplify Student Voices
    • Annual Benefits Open Enrollment April 14-28
    • Celebrate National Community College Month with Pima
    • Employee Handbook Proposed Revisions Open for Feedback
    • Creative Writing Events in April
    • Annual Rodders Days Car Show at Downtown Campus April 19
    • Panel Discussion: Tucson’s TCE Contamination and Water in Our Desert
    • Mammography Van Appointments Available April 24
    • Volunteer at the Pima County Fair
    • Records Purge Week April 14-18
    • Volunteer for Pima’s STEAM Family and Research Symposium Night
    • Library Newsletter Available
    • Pima Heroes Award
    • 29th Annual PCC Foundation Golf Tournament May 10
    • Elevate @ Pima Speaker Series
    • PimaOnline Updates and Info Session
    • Academic Freedom and the First Amendment Workshop
    • Explore AI in Education with the AICPP
    • Get Help with Your Community Engagement
    • Northwest Campus Massage Clinic Offering Services
    • ALTS and Dual Enrollment Beginning-of-Academic-Year Guidance
    • Foundations of Department Headship: Registrar Updates and Collaborative Strategies
    • Volunteers Needed for May 21 Commencement Ceremony
    • Free Financial Consultation
    • Capital Asset Policy Update
    • Federal Work Study Supervisor Training Sessions
    • Web Intelligence Interactive Reports Training
    • Helpful Resources for Adjunct Faculty
    • OSHA Form 300A Posting: 2024 Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Summary
  • Pima Arts News
  • Pima Athletics News
  • Employee Wellness
    • Sign Up for Virtual Workshops and Challenges

College Updates

Help Us Amplify Student Voices
Pima’s marketing is evolving — we’re putting real students front and center to showcase their unique Pima journeys and let their voices shine. Know a student or alum who’d be a great fit? Encourage them to fill out this short form! They can share as much about themselves as they’d like and let us know which marketing projects interest them. With your help, we can feature more students and highlight the wide range of academic paths, interests and goals that make our Pima community so diverse. If you have questions, contact marketing@pima.edu.

Annual Benefits Open Enrollment April 14-28
Open enrollment for the 2025-2026 benefits plan year is April 14-28. During this time, benefits-eligible employees may update their benefits elections through the Online Open Enrollment System (orange button) on the Benefits Open Enrollment page in MyPima. All changes will take effect July 1.

This year’s open enrollment process is being done entirely online. One-on-one virtual appointments are available throughout the enrollment period. Click here to schedule an appointment. After booking, you will receive a confirmation email with the subject line “LINK FOR OE APPT - Thanks for booking with your ESC Staff.” Appointments will be conducted via Google Meet. Please join the meeting no more than two minutes before your scheduled time. For an overview of the new premiums for medical, dental and vision coverage, click here. Additional information is on the Open Enrollment page in MyPima > Pages > Employee > Employee Service Center > Open Enrollment. If you have questions, contact the Employee Service Center Benefits Team, esc-benefits@pima.edu or 520-206-4945.

Celebrate National Community College Month with Pima
April is National Community College Month, and we are celebrating by sharing stories about why Pima is the #BestDecisionEver for students, faculty and staff.

We invite faculty and staff to record a short vertical video (15-30 seconds) sharing why you believe in Pima and the impact it has on students and the community. Your story may be featured on Pima’s website, social media and other platforms.

Submit your video here as soon as possible. We will be sharing submissions through April 30. Your voice highlights the difference Pima makes — thank you for being part of this celebration!

Employee Handbook Proposed Revisions Open for Feedback
In response to employee input, the All Employee Representative Council (AERC) has proposed revisions to the following sections of the College’s Employee Handbook:

The revised policies are available for a 21-day comment period through the Employee Page in MyPima. To provide feedback, please use the Feedback Form located in the “Draft to Review” section.

All employees are encouraged to review the updates and share their thoughts.

Creative Writing Events in April
Join us for two inspiring evenings celebrating the written word, hosted by the SandScript staff and PCC Writing Faculty.

  • SandScript Benefit Reading
    April 17, 7-9 p.m., West Campus Center for the Arts Recital Hall
    PCC Writing Faculty will present original works during this special reading. Admission is free and donations are welcome. All proceeds will benefit SandScript, PCC’s student arts and literary publication. Click here to read SandScript 2024.
  • Featured Reading with Manuel Muñoz
    April 24, 7-9 p.m., Desert Vista Campus, Community Room (F-123)
    Enjoy a reading by award-winning author and MacArthur Fellow Manuel Muñoz, a University of Arizona professor. This free event will be followed by an open mic session.

Annual Rodders Days Car Show at Downtown Campus April 19
Join us for the Tucson Street Rod Association (TSRA) Annual Rodders Days Car Show at Downtown Campus 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., April 19. This free, family-friendly event showcases hand-built street rods, custom and classic cars, antique engines, tractors, mining equipment and vintage campers, food vendors and more.

In addition to the car show, Dean of Applied Technology Greg Wilson will be available to discuss Pima’s hands-on programs and offer tours of the Advanced Manufacturing Building. Pima Automotive faculty also will provide tours of the Automotive Technology and Innovation Center. 

Panel Discussion: Tucson’s TCE Contamination and Water in Our Desert
Join the MexAm Museum 4-6 p.m., April 23 in the Azurite Room at Downtown Campus for an intergenerational panel discussion exploring Tucson’s environmental history and present-day challenges. This conversation will connect the legacy of TCE groundwater contamination on Tucson’s southside with current issues related to pollution, land use and water in the Sonoran Desert. Featured speakers include Arizona State Representative Betty Villegas and local environmental justice advocates. All employees are welcome to attend and engage in this important dialogue on environmental justice in our region.

Mammography Van Appointments Available April 24
Pima employees have the opportunity to schedule a mammogram on April 24. The mobile mammography unit will be available at:

Volunteer at the Pima County Fair
Join us at the Pima County Fair April 17-27. Sign up here to represent the College at our booth and engage with the community. Volunteers receive free entry and parking. They also will earn Pima Healthy Rewards points and be entered into a $50 Amazon gift card drawing by the Employee Service Center. If you have questions, contact Joi Stirrup, jstirrup@pima.edu.

Records Purge Week April 14-18
Do you need help managing your records? To support compliance with state and federal records retention requirements, the College is promoting Records Purge Week April 14-18.

Purging Process:

  • Inventory your records stored in file cabinets, shared drives and other approved locations.
  • Reference your department’s approved File Plan or the Arizona Retention Schedules for proper disposition and storage guidelines.
  • For assistance with storing or disposing of records, submit an IT Services Request for Information Management.

Volunteer for Pima’s STEAM Family and Research Symposium Night
Employees are invited to volunteer for Pima’s STEAM Family and Research Symposium Night, 5-8 p.m., May 2 at Northwest Campus. This event provides an opportunity to engage with students, families and the community in exploring science, technology, engineering, arts and math programs. To find out about volunteer opportunities or if you have questions, contact Quantum Que Program Manager Aglhaen Nieto. 

Pima Heroes Award
Encourage students to apply for the Pima Heroes Award! The scholarship application deadline is May 30.

The Pima Heroes Award is a new recognition and scholarship opportunity for students who make a positive impact in their communities. Up to 10 students will be named 2025 Pima Heroes, each receiving a $1,000 award. Also, one outstanding Hero may receive an additional $5,000. To qualify, students must be enrolled in at least six credits for both Spring and Fall 2025 (continuing students) and actively participate in community service.

Students can find full scholarship details and apply on Scholarship Universe. For questions, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, scholarships@pima.edu.

29th Annual PCC Foundation Golf Tournament May 10
Join Pima Foundation for the 29th Annual Golf Tournament on May 10 at Omni Tucson National. This event offers a great day on the greens while raising funds to support essential PCC programs that enhance the student experience.

Don’t miss out on this long-standing tradition. Register today to reserve your spot. For more information, contact 520-206-4809 or golf@pimafoundation.org.

Elevate @ Pima Speaker Series
Hosted by Employer Engagement and Career Services, the Elevate @ Pima Speaker Series is open to students, faculty and staff. Each session features practical insights, inspiring stories and forward-thinking ideas designed to help you stay informed, engaged and prepared for the future.

Upcoming Virtual Session:

  • Step Into Leadership – Personal Growth and Influence for Emerging Leaders:
    3-4:30 p.m., May 8

Learn more and register at careerservices.pima.edu/elevate.

PimaOnline Updates and Info Session
Join PimaOnline 2-3:30 p.m., April 24 in Room A207, Northwest Campus or via Zoom to learn about the STRIVEOnline grant, current initiatives and updates. This session also provides an opportunity to engage in conversation with the PimaOnline team.

If you require an accommodation to participate, please contact ada-esc@pima.edu.

Academic Freedom and the First Amendment Workshop
The Office of the Provost, in partnership with the Office of General Counsel, invites faculty and staff to an interactive workshop exploring academic freedom, the First Amendment, Pima’s related policies and the impact of recent executive orders on higher education.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of faculty rights, institutional responsibilities and policy changes affecting academic discourse and shared governance. The workshop also will provide historical and legal context for these important issues.

If you have a question you would like addressed during the workshop, submit it in advance to rshippee@pima.edu with “Workshop Question” in the subject line. 

Workshop Schedule:

We encourage faculty and staff to participate in this valuable discussion.

Explore AI in Education with the AICPP
Join the AI Community of Practice and Play (AICPP) for upcoming events focused on integrating artificial intelligence into teaching and learning:

  • April 22, 2 p.m. (Zoom): Elliot Mead will present on Using AI with D2L, followed by a breakout session for those interested in an introductory session on getting started with genAI.
  • April 25, 1 p.m. (Zoom): Reed Dickson will lead Build Your Own GPT for Student Learning.
  • May 1, 1 p.m. (Room LB-153, Downtown Campus Library): Join us for the AI Exploratorium, featuring live presentations and demonstrations.

For additional meeting times, recordings of past sessions and resources, refer to the AICPP resource document.

Get Help with Your Community Engagement
The Community Engagement dashboard is accessible on MyPima. There you can:

  • Learn more about Pima’s collegewide community engagement and the resources available to you.
  • Report your community engagement for posting to the collegewide calendar.
  • Sign up for volunteer opportunities to share your subject-matter expertise.
  • Share your volunteer opportunities and outreach photos.

If you have questions, contact Joi Stirrup, jstirrup@pima.edu.

Northwest Campus Massage Clinic Offering Services
The Northwest Campus Massage Clinic offers quality Swedish massage services to students, staff and the public. Pima employees and students with a Pima A# can enjoy a 50-minute massage for $20 ($30, public). The clinic is in Room A211 and appointments are available Thursdays:

  • April 17-May 15: 10:30 a.m.; 11:35 a.m.; 12:40 p.m.; 1:45 p.m.

Masking is required for both student-therapists and clients. Therapeutic massage is not recommended for anyone with serious or uncontrolled medical conditions, contagious illnesses or fever, or for women who are pregnant. To schedule an appointment, contact Jamie Vaughan-Signorini, jlvaughan@pima.edu. Prepayment is required.

ALTS and Dual Enrollment Beginning-of-academic-year Guidance
As a follow-up to the Fall 2024 training, this virtual session will provide guidance on the beginning-of-year procedures for courses offered through Additional Locations, Teaching Sites (ALTS), and Dual Enrollment (DE), with a special focus on DE program startup.

The training will be at 11 a.m., April 18. Topics include essential DE tasks, such as site visit protocols, instructor preparation, onboarding with Simple Syllabus and managing the division spreadsheet. These processes support compliance and promote student success across all instructional locations. An interactive Q&A will provide an opportunity to revisit prior discussions and share DE-related experiences. Although the focus will be on DE, the strategies presented are applicable across all teaching sites and support instructional consistency. This session will be facilitated by AnnMarie Condes and Jordan Clarke. To join, visit Google Meet.

Foundations of Department Headship: Registrar Updates and Collaborative Strategies
Join us at 1 p.m., April 22 for a session focused on recent developments in the Registrar’s Office and strategies for effective collaboration in support of student success. Topics will include student attendance tracking, non-attendance drops, verification of student identity in cases of suspected fraud and new technologies designed to improve the experience for students and faculty.  This discussion will be facilitated by Michael Tulino and Elvia Bow. To join, visit Google Meet.

Volunteers Needed for May 21 Commencement Ceremony
The College needs volunteers to help at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony on May 21 at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Volunteers are needed to assist in different capacities:

Guest Usher

  • needed 5:30-9 p.m. (some assignments may leave by 7:15 p.m.)
  • help ensure attendees find their way to the appropriate seating areas
  • help direct graduates to the check-in area and assist them during the ceremony

Student/Faculty Guide

  • needed 4:45-7 p.m.
  • direct arriving graduates and faculty to the appropriate check-in entry point

Graduate Check-in

  • needed 4:45-7 p.m.
  • provide pre-printed reader card to each graduate
  • direct graduates to the staging area for entering the arena

To volunteer, complete this form.

Library Newsletter Available
The latest issue of the Library newsletter is now available. Celebrate Earth Day with staff-recommended books, movies, local shops and community organizations focused on sustainability. Discover how to turn your research into scholarship opportunities, read insider tips from our student employees, and explore upcoming events and more.

Free Financial Consultation
Take advantage of your employee benefits and schedule a free consultation with a financial advisor:

For more information, visit the employee intranet.

Capital Asset Policy Update
Effective July 1, the College will raise its capital asset threshold from $5,000 to $10,000. This change aligns with the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Guidance, which recently raised the federal threshold for capital equipment. Additional details will be shared on the intranet as the end of the fiscal year approaches.

Federal Work Study Supervisor Training Sessions
The College’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will host virtual Federal Work Study (FWS) supervisor training sessions in April and May. Current and prospective FWS supervisors are encouraged to participate. Sign up here for the virtual training. 

Web Intelligence Interactive Reports Training
Learn how to find and customize reports using the Web Intelligence (WebI) Interactive software. To enroll in the training:

  • Login to MyPima/MyCareer Center
  • Input the name of the training in the search bar 
  • Click “request” to the right of the session you want to attend.

If you have questions or need assistance, email Organizational Effectiveness and Development, opd@pima.edu, or Özlem Kacira, okacira@pima.edu. 

Helpful Resources for Adjunct Faculty
Below are useful links to support adjunct faculty:

OSHA Form 300A Posting: 2024 Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses Summary
In compliance with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, the OSHA Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses for incidents that occurred at the College in 2024 is posted at all campus locations and on the Mandatory Postings page in MyPima.

Pima Arts News

Here are some ongoing and upcoming Pima Arts events:

  • Through May 9: “Annual Juried Student Art Exhibit,” Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery, West Campus Center for the Arts; Reception: April 16, 3-5 p.m., Awards Ceremony, 4 p.m.
  • Through Sept. 6: “Southern Arizona Arts Guild Exhibition,” West Campus Visual Arts Gallery; Reception: April 22, 2-4 p.m. 
  • April 24-May 5: “Borderline,” 7 p.m., Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m., Sundays; ASL Night: May 2, Black Box Theatre, West Campus CFA; Tickets: $15, $10 Students/Seniors/Military/Groups 
  • Through Aug. 20: “Night Skies: Astrophotography, Michael Cox,” Desert Vista Art Gallery, Desert Vista Campus

Unless noted, Pima Arts programs and exhibitions are free to the public.

Stay up-to-date on Pima Arts events by checking the Pima Arts Calendar. If you have questions, contact 520-206-6986 or centerforthearts@pima.edu.

Pima Athletics News

Support Pima Athletics at this week’s home games:

  • April 18: Baseball vs. Scottsdale Community College (single game), West Campus Aztec Baseball Field, 12 p.m.
  • April 18: Men’s and Women’s Track and Field hosts Pima Outdoor Invitational, West Campus Aztec Aztec Track, 3 p.m.

Stay updated on Pima Athletics at pimaaztecs.com.

Employee Wellness

Sign Up for Virtual Workshops and Challenges
Sign up online for Employee Wellness virtual workshops and challenges.

Visit the Employee Wellness Intranet page to access free resources and tools. Employees also are encouraged to visit the Employee Wellness website for additional resources, news and information on the Pima Healthy Rewards Program and wellness-related activities that qualify for Pima Wellness Activity points.


@PimaNews is an electronic newsletter for employee news of Pima Community College. The Marketing Office publishes this e-newsletter every Thursday, except when the College is closed for a holiday or break, during the semester and every other week during the summer. Please send announcements and news items – 75 words or fewer – to pimanews@pima.edu by noon on Monday. Check any links before sending. Back issues are available on the @PimaNews webpage. The newsletter also accepts submissions about Pima employee accomplishments.

Back to main content Back to top