Santa Cruz County’s Hub For Higher Education.
No matter what you’re seeking – career pathway exploration and support, increased earning potential through a degree, certification of skills and knowledge, hands-on professional development with on-the-job training, or the pleasure of lifelong learning – it’s all available at the Santa Cruz Center in Nogales, Arizona.
An Exceptional Value For Our Community.
The Santa Cruz Center is a public Provisional Community College District located in Santa Cruz County Arizona that offers a wide variety of options to enhance learning pathways through robust partnerships.
Because of our completely unique position as the only Provisional Community College District, there are several overarching advantages to enrolling at the Center. We offer locally based education programs as well as a flexible hybrid campus with a wide variety of academic programs to meet our county’s needs. In addition, students enjoy small class sizes and modern technology to help our binational community to excel.
Investing in Quality Higher Education for Residents & Businesses.
The Santa Cruz Center provides broad options for higher education in Santa Cruz County with class sizes that average 24 students, and all classes are fully transferable. Transferred degrees are offered in the arts, business, and sciences.
Our Mission
Provide educational and career development opportunities that advance student achievement and are a catalyst for growth and prosperity in our bi-cultural community.
Our Vision
Through the establishment of an independent community college in Santa Cruz County, all residents of our region will have the opportunity to achieve their educational goals.
Our Goals
To serve as Santa Cruz County’s place-based education hub, providing critical skills, experiences and opportunities that benefit local businesses, citizens and the international border region.
A Modern Facility Prepares Students For the Future.
The Santa Cruz Center is part of the Ambos Nogales bi-national region that serves one of the western hemisphere’s most vital trade corridors. Students get a solid start on their career paths and adult learners have flexible options for continuing education. The governing board and staff manage the 35,000 square foot facility. Our campus has computer labs, a student union, the College and Career Readiness & Educational Opportunities (C-CREO) Gear Up Program, Pima Community College, and the University of Arizona Nogales offices.
Offering Local Academic Programs To Power The Region.
The Santa Cruz Center works with Pima Community College and University of Arizona Nogales to provide unique academic programs locally.
Nursing & EMT
Science & STEM
Adult Education
Our Partnerships Bring Diverse Education Options.
The Santa Cruz Center connects middle and high school students as well as adult residents to higher and continuing education opportunities through key partnerships. C-CREO prepares cohorts of 7-12th graders for success in their careers. Pima Community College and University of Arizona provide 2 + 2 education pathways for both associate and bachelor’s degrees. AZ @ Work and the Santa Cruz Center provide the General Education Diploma (GED). Through our partnerships, residents can pursue higher education without leaving home, friends, family and local business opportunities.
Support For Local Business & Talent.
At the Center, we recognize the importance of connecting a competitive workforce with innovative employers. With this in mind, we’ve launched this Business Portal to build relationships, gain insight, and collect input from employers, employees and job seekers.
Whether you’re a business wanting to establish local curricula and certification, a resident seeking employment or an instructor wanting to contribute your subject matter expertise to the regional economy, the Santa Cruz Center Business Portal is the place to start your journey.
Coming Soon: New Electrician Certification Program.
The Santa Cruz Center Provisional College District in partnership with Pima Community College and South32 will be offering an electrician certificate program beginning in September of 2025 at the Santa Cruz Center.Electricians will be among the first jobs needed to build the Hermosa project, and South32 is committed to developing a homegrown workforce to support our broader community by prioritizing local hiring. The program is open to more students than needed for Hermosa in the immediate term to create opportunities for further education and employment in other industries or sectors in the community.
We’re Here For You.
If you have any questions about available programs at the Santa Cruz Center, or would like to book an event or just come visit the campus, please contact us.