Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Community Colleges to Bolster IT Training Programs with New Microsoft Datacenter Academy

Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) and Glendale Community College (GCC) are collaborating with Microsoft to launch a new Microsoft Datacenter Academy designed to prepare students for high-demand jobs in the IT sector. Their goal: "to enhance the IT training programs at both schools and provide real-world applications for students in their attainment of current and new IT certifications and degrees," according to a news announcement.

Located on the EMCC campus, the Microsoft Datacenter Academy will serve students from both colleges beginning in fall 2021. Microsoft will donate equipment for the facility, including servers, storage devices and networking gear, to provide students with hands-on experience with industry-standard hardware. In addition, the company is building three datacenters that will provide job opportunities in the local area.

"We are always looking for ways to better prepare our students for in-demand IT jobs," said EMCC President Rey Rivera, in a statement. "This collaboration with Microsoft will not only help to fill a void in the IT job market but will also provide our students with additional streamlined pathways to these high-paying jobs, many of which will be located right here in the West Valley where three Microsoft datacenters will open in the near future."

"Estrella Mountain Community College and Glendale Community College are striving to educate, train and prepare our students for the fast-paced changes happening in the workplace," commented Teresa Leyba Ruiz, president of GCC. "That is why we are so proud to team up with Microsoft in establishing the Datacenter Academy at our colleges. We are excited that Microsoft is firmly committed to the West Valley by building datacenters in Goodyear and El Mirage and supporting EMCC and GCC as we prepare students for careers in the growing IT industry."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • In Data Center Office Male IT Analyst Watches Screens Fill With Virus and Malware Warnings

    Global Ransomware Attacks Rise 23% in Q3

    Global ransomware activity increased 23% in the third quarter of 2026, with organizations in North America and Europe accounting for the largest proportion of attacks, according to cybersecurity firm NCC Group.

  • closeup of hands using smart phone

    Learning Continuity Built into the LMS Withstands Cloud or Cybersecurity Interruptions

    When your institution's administrative or instructional capabilities face disruption from natural, technical, or malicious events, what measures does your LMS offer to provide a "business as usual" operating and learning environment? Instructure's Ryan Lufkin comments on the LMS and learning continuity.

  • A computer screen shows a phishing email warning message in a modern office

    AI Platform Behind 12,000 E-mail Breaches Shut Down

    Microsoft has disrupted EvilTokens, a cybercrime service that used AI to help attackers break into e-mail accounts, study their victims, and build convincing financial scams.

  • A glowing digital brain with neural connections and light trails

    AI Giants Warn It May Be Time to Slow Down

    For years, leaders in the artificial intelligence industry have warned that increasingly capable AI systems could eventually become dangerous, all the while continuing to race to build them. Now, their sentiments have changed.