Arizona Co-Chairs
Kate Smith, Ed.D.
President
Rio Salado College
Javier Duran, Ph.D.
Director, Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry | Professor, Latin American and Border Studies
University of Arizona
Committee Collaborations
The Education Committee promotes training and research among the cross-border education community, facilitating innovative partnerships that enhance student cultural and academic experiences at universities in Arizona and Sonora.
How to Get Involved
The AMC/CSEU binational committees are always looking for new members, passionate about strengthening the ties between Arizona and Mexico. As a committee member you will be surrounded by subject-area experts and business leaders from Arizona and Mexico, coming together to achieve common goals. Join a committee and help us shape policy, and exchange ideas and information through cross-border communication and collaboration.
If you’re interested in learning more about this committee or how to get involved, click here to send us a note and we’ll get you connected.
Committee Executive Summary
The Education Committee reported significant progress in binational collaboration focused on bilingual workforce development, academic mobility, and industry-driven workforce training. The committee has finalized planning in collaboration with the University of Sonora and Rio Salado College to launch a bilingual workforce training program in Fall 2026. On Academic mobility the committee has officially transitioned into Phase II of the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiative, moving beyond virtual exchanges to include in-person mobility, technical visits, and intercultural learning between Arizona and Sonora. Committee members reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening educational partnerships, expanding student and faculty exchanges, and preparing a globally competitive workforce aligned with regional economic priorities.
Action Plans
#1 – Bilingual Proficiency & Mobility: The committee has finalized planning in collaboration with the University of Sonora and Rio Salado College to launch a bilingual workforce training program in Fall 2026. The completed curriculum focuses on workplace language, business vocabulary, and intercultural competencies to prepare participants for global professional environments. Discussion highlighted increasing academic mobility and professional specialization, which includes exploring opportunities for Sonora instructors to complete their final program module at Rio Salado College in Arizona, potentially coinciding with International Education Week from November 16–20.
#2 – Increase Academic Mobility: We are officially transitioning into Phase II of the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiative, moving beyond virtual exchanges to include in-person mobility, technical visits, and intercultural learning between Arizona and Sonora. Continued collaboration between the University of Sonora and Gateway Community College remains a priority, alongside expanding partnerships with Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Arizona State University (ASU). This initiative includes semiconductor workforce integration and immediate plans for three UNISON students to complete mobility experiences at NAU, while the committee continues to encourage broader use of virtual and hybrid mobility partnerships across additional institutions.
#3 – Industry-Focused Shared Training: The committee has identified semiconductors, water sustainability, and artificial intelligence (AI) as strategic workforce priorities aligned with regional industry needs across the Sonora-Arizona megaregion. Recent updates include the formation of a Sonora semiconductor consortium and the scheduling of new technical training opportunities through ICATSON to launch in September 2026. To support responsible AI integration in higher education, participants emphasized the urgent need for ethical AI guidance, faculty development, the evaluation of a new AI laboratory at UNISON, and stronger collaboration between educational institutions and cross-border industry partners.
#4 – Sonora-Arizona Inter-University Alliance (AISA): The committee presented the Sonora-Arizona Inter-University Alliance (AISA) as a permanent framework designed to expand long-term scientific, technological, and cultural partnerships among higher education institutions across both states. This alliance will serve as a vital binational mechanism for expanding collaborative research, driving innovation, and fostering regional competitiveness in strategic priority areas such as water, energy, health, migration, science and technology, and sustainable regional development. Arizona representatives highlighted the significant progress already made in reinforcing this framework, and committee members reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening these foundational ties.