Agenda:

June 3–4, 2026 | Tucson, AZ

Plan your experience across two days of learning, connection, and collaboration.

Day 1 Info
Day 2 Info
Three people conducting a scientific experiment in a laboratory, using a dropper and glassware, all wearing goggles.

Day 1: Pima Community College

11:00 AM - Optional Employer Treks

2:00 PM - Welcome & AI Keynote

Highlighting: AI, Work, and the Future of Human Potential

3:00 PM - AI Panel Discussion

Beyond the Resume: Career Services and the Future of Work

4:00 PM - Advanced Manufacturing Building Tour

4:30 PM - Reception

Three young women walking on a college campus, smiling and talking, with trees and a brick building in the background.

Day 2: University of Arizona

8:00 AM - Breakfast

8:45 - Welcome

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Breakout Sessions

12:00 PM - Lunch

1:00 PM - Keynote

2:00 - Adjourn

Day 1 Agenda

Employer Treks (Optional)

Kick off your conference experience with our Employer Treks—optional, off-site visits taking place on June 3rd prior to the 2:00 PM conference start. These curated experiences offer attendees the opportunity to explore local organizations, gain insight into workplace environments, and learn about a variety of career pathways.

  • This trek will feature a tour of the new Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center (MARC) and offer attendees an inside look at one of Arizona’s fastest-growing communities. Participants will hear from representatives across multiple Town of Marana departments about the wide range of internship and career opportunities available within municipal government, as well as the broader employment landscape created by the town’s continued growth and economic development. This experience will provide career services professionals with valuable insights, connections, and strategies to help students explore public sector and community-based career pathways throughout Arizona.

    • 10:00AM - 12:00PM on Wednesday, June 3rd

    • Marana, AZ 

    • Lunch will NOT be provided

  • More information coming soon!

Sign up!

Day 1 Agenda

    • Pima Community College - Downtown Campus | Advance Manufacturing Building - Azurite Room | 1255 N Queen Ave, Tucson, AZ

    • The address provided will direct you to the preferred parking lot.

    • Parking is free and located immediately outside the building.

    • Follow the event signage to the Advanced Manufacturing Building - 3rd floor.

    • The elevator is by the Welding Entrance.

    • Welcome | Chancellor for Pima Community College | Dr. Jeffrey Nasse

    • Keynote Speaker | Holly Kurtz | Director of Workforce Development at the Center for the Future of Arizona

    • Amanda Abens | Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development | Pima Community College

    • Colleen McLeod Garner | Director of Growth, Regional University Engagment | Voyager Technologies

    • Kate Carter | AI Program Manager | City of Tucson

    • Issam Rian | PHD Candidate| University of Arizona

  • More Information HERE

Day 1 Keynote Speaker:

  • Holly Kurtz is the Director of Workforce Development at the Center for the Future of Arizona with accountability for leading the Aspen Institute Workforce Leadership Academies, Retail Career Pathways Sector initiative (RetailWorks AZ), Job Quality and exploration into Learning & Education Records (LER) technologies.  She joined CFA in 2016.  Prior to CFA, Holly was the VP of Talent Management at PetSmart from 2008-2016, and Holly held various senior level HR/Talent Management roles for Wells Fargo from 1980 - 2008.  Holly attended the University of Minnesota where she majored in Technical Communications.  Holly has facilitated two Academies in Arizona – Greater Phoenix in 2022 and a Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy in 2023.

AI Panel

Beyond the Resume: Career Services and the Future of Work

  • Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development

    Pima Community College

    As the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development at Pima Community College (PCC), Amanda Abens collaborates to deliver career and technical education programs and workforce training that support a thriving Southern Arizona economy. Amanda actively works to develop systems and processes that increase responsiveness to business & industry, pilot new CTE programs, support entrepreneurs and small business development, and design and deploy contract and customized training to meet the diverse needs of our community. Amanda is an alumna of both PCC and the University of Arizona, having earned her Master's degree in Counseling. She has over 15 years of experience working in housing and social services before beginning her career in higher education, where she built multi-sector collaborations at the University of Arizona. Amanda combines her experience in both social service and higher education to bring a unique perspective to workforce development. 

  • AI Program Manager

    City of Tucson

    Kate Carter is the AI Program Manager for the City of Tucson, where she leads citywide strategy to ensure AI is used responsibly and effectively in public services. She focuses on long-term planning, pilot projects, ethical governance, and early successes that build trust and momentum. Alongside her public sector work, her doctoral research examines how AI can both reduce and reinforce health inequities, with a focus on patient advocacy and systemic bias in healthcare. This dual perspective grounds her approach in both innovation and equity, ensuring technology serves people first.

  • PHD Candidate

    University of Arizona

    Issam Rian recently defended his PhD dissertation in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching at the University of Arizona, where his work sits at the intersection of AI, writing, decision-making, and student development. Issam’s dissertation, AI-Calibrated Metacognition, examines how multilingual writers learn to evaluate and use ChatGPT feedback while maintaining ownership of their ideas and writing. As an instructor of record in the University of Arizona Writing Programs, he has taught 32 sections over seven years across first-year writing, multilingual writing, grammar and editing, and technical and professional writing. He also facilitates workshops on responsible AI use, GenAI activity design, and AI-supported writing.

  • Director of Growth, Regional University Engagement

    Voyager Technologies

Advanced Manufacturing Building Tour

Join us for a guided tour of Pima Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Building, led by Greg Wilson, Dean of the Applied Technology Center of Excellence. This state-of-the-art facility supports hands-on training in advanced manufacturing, automation, skilled trades, and emerging technologies, helping prepare students for high-demand careers that are critical to Arizona’s workforce and economic growth.

  • The Advanced Manufacturing Building at Pima Community College represents a major investment in Southern Arizona’s workforce, economic development, and career-connected education. Located at the Downtown Campus, the facility was designed in partnership with business and industry to prepare students for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, automation, aerospace, construction, and emerging technologies.

    The building serves as a high-tech, hands-on learning environment where students train using industry-relevant equipment and real-world systems. It supports both traditional degree pathways and fast-track workforce credentials, helping students quickly transition into careers that are critical to Arizona’s growing economy. The center also strengthens the region’s talent pipeline for industries connected to aerospace, defense, semiconductor manufacturing, automation, infrastructure, and advanced construction.

    Programs connected to the Advanced Manufacturing Building and broader Applied Technology ecosystem include:

    • Welding

    • Machine Tool Technology and CNC Machining

    • Automated Industrial Technology (AIT) and Mechatronics

    • Robotics and Automation

    • Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Drafting

    • Building and Construction Technologies

    • HVAC and Building Controls

    • Optics and Precision Manufacturing

    • Quality Assurance and Inspection

    • Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing

    • Flexible Industry Training (FIT Lab) partnerships with industry

    Beyond technical training, the building also reflects a broader shift in how community colleges support regional workforce development. It brings together education, industry partnerships, workforce innovation, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurial support under one roof, including space for a business incubator and industry training labs.

    The result is a facility that not only prepares students for immediate employment, but also helps Tucson and Arizona respond to long-term workforce shortages and technological change.

Day 2 Agenda

Agenda and Locations

  • The Cherry Avenue Garage, located at 1641 E. Enke Drive, Tucson, AZ 85719 is reserved for non-University of Arizona conference participants. Pick up your Garage Exit Voucher at check-in!

  • Session Information and Locations

Keynote Speakers:

  • Jennie Grabel, Project Director, and Brook Gilliam, Deputy Director, represent the Community Coalition for Prosperity (CC4P), a cross-sector collaboration working to reduce generational poverty and increase economic mobility in Pima County. CC4P brings together nonprofits, government, funders, and community leaders around a shared, evidence-based strategy to align resources, coordinate action, and drive long-term systems change. Through its pillars of Alignment, Implementation, and Advocacy, CC4P works to strengthen housing, health, education, and workforce systems and create lasting pathways to prosperity for individuals, families, and communities.

Practical ideas. Statewide connections. Real impact.

Save Your Spot