Honoring the Legacy of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva
Dear Colleagues, Students, and Community Partners,
Along with the rest of our community, we grieve the passing of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva. We extend our deepest condolences to the Grijalva family and honor a leader who was a steadfast advocate for education and a dedicated friend of Pima Community College and our students.
Congressman Grijalva’s commitment to education began early in his career, first as a member of the TUSD School Board and later as a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. His dedication to ensuring access to education and opportunity for all remained a constant throughout his decades of public service.
As a member of Congress, he championed Congressionally Directed Funding (CDF) for Pima Community College. In partnership with Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, he helped secure $1 million for equipment for the College’s new Flexible Industry Training Lab in the Advanced Manufacturing Building. He later successfully advocated for an additional $1.32 million to remodel the Building and Construction Trades facility. His efforts extended beyond PCC, securing federal funding for the City of Tucson to renovate the El Pueblo Liberty Learning Center, including a hybrid technology classroom for PCC’s Adult Basic Education for College and Career Program.
The son of immigrant parents, Congressman Grijalva was a tireless advocate for immigrant families and Dreamers, student loan forgiveness, early childhood education, and expanding Pell Grant support for low-income students. He took a personal interest in PCC’s early childcare center at the Desert Vista Campus and was actively working to protect and expand the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) federal grant, which helps low-income student parents continue their education.
He was never too busy to listen to the concerns of our College or to celebrate our achievements alongside us. His unwavering support for education and his commitment to opportunity have left a lasting impact on Pima Community College and the broader community.
We mourn his loss, alongside his family, staff, and all those who had the privilege of working with him. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we uphold the values he championed.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey P. Nasse, Ph.D.
Chancellor, Pima Community College
chancellor@pima.edu