An advisory body to Pima County and the City of Tucson, and nonprofit organization
Est. in 1990, the Metro Education Commission is a joint body of Pima County and Tucson
The Commission unites learners, educators, and officials from education, government, and the community to empower a more educated and engaged community by democratizing access to learning, service, and opportunity for all.
In 1990, a group of elected officials, including Raul Grijalva, then a Pima County Board Supervisor and now U.S. Representative for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, along with Thomas Volgy, then Mayor of Tucson and currently a professor of political science at the University of Arizona, jointly established the Metropolitan Education Commission. This was formalized through the adoption of Resolution No. 1990-178 by Pima County and Resolution No. 15433 by the City of Tucson. The Commission was created in response to various educational challenges identified within the community, impacting children, youth, and adults across metropolitan Tucson and the broader Pima County area.
Upon its founding, the Commission was empowered to advise, make recommendations, and fulfill various functions and purposes essential to the educational welfare of the community, which include:
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Identifying issues of economic, political, and social importance to education, seeking to frame and resolve these issues in a manner helpful to educational units and the public, and inform interested parties of its work.
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Coordinate the work of the many agencies that support education, by encouraging agencies and units to work together for the common purpose of enhancing the educational welfare of the citizens of the County and City.
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Articulating ideas, programs, and innovative practices in ways that increase access to the very best concepts and programs, and ensure that the many agencies, districts, and organizations that are engaged in education are aware of the mission and work of other units and are endeavoring to achieve the highest possible educational benefit.
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Advocate for sound and wise educational policies, practices, and legislation, as well as for the commitments necessary to raise the County, State and City to the highest possible levels of interest in, and support for, education.
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The Commission is structured by the Pima County Board of Supervisors and City of Tucson Mayor and Council to ensure a diverse and comprehensive representation from differing sectors, ages, and backgrounds, fostering inclusive educational advocacy and policy development.
In a forthcoming amendment, it will consist of 29 members, including two standing ex-officio non-voting members: the Pima County Superintendent of Schools and the Executive Director of the Commission. Appointments to the commission are distributed among different appointing authorities to maintain a balanced representation.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors appoints three members, including a board member and representatives from the Health Department or Community and Workforce Development, and Economic Development. The City of Tucson Mayor and Council appoint three members, including a council member and representatives from Housing and Community Development or Parks and Recreation, and Economic Initiatives. The Pima County Superintendent of Schools appoints three educators representing different age groups of children and youth.
The MEC’s Board of Directors appoints 14 members, including two enrolled learners aged 16-21, a school principal, a public school district superintendent, an affiliate of the Joint Technical Education District, three members from local agencies serving young people, and six at-large members representing various community segments, including a state-wide agency, marginalized groups and the religious community. Additionally, four members are appointed by the presidents of regional institutions, including Pima Community College, the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University.
Meet the TEAM
Meet the Commission
Rex Scott
Pima County
Pima County Board Supervisor & Chair
Lane Santa Cruz
City of Tucson
Councilmember, Ward 1
Dustin Williams
Pima County
Superintendent of Schools
Kathy Prather
Pima JTED
Superintendent
Jose Gastelum
Sunnyside Unified School District
Superintendent
Dave Mason
San Miguel High School
President and CEO
Marla Franco
University of Arizona
Vice President, Hispanic Serving Institution Initatives
Rich Nickel
CEO & President
Education Foward Arizona
Matthew Schmidgall
Pima County
Program Manager, Health Department
Sharon O'Brien
Executive Director
Literacy Connects
Irene Robles-Lopez
Pima Community College
Vice Chancellor, Student Experience
Jake Blumenthal
Advisor & Portfolio Analyst, Meridian Wealth Management LLC
Robert Ramirez
Workforce Initiatives Manager
Pima Community College
Karla Silva
Assistant Director, Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives
University of Arizona
Alejandro Tavera-Reyes
MEC Youth Advocacy Fellows
Member and High School Student
Michael Wilkerson
St. Francis in the Foothills
Lead Pastor