Staff Reports | Community Updates
Maricopa Community Colleges is expanding its Radiologic Technology (Rad Tech) program with new offerings at Estrella Mountain Community College and Paradise Valley Community College, while upgrading existing facilities at GateWay Community College.
The Higher Learning Commission has accredited the new programs at Estrella Mountain and Paradise Valley community colleges. Both campuses are expected to welcome their first cohorts in fall 2027, while GateWay Community College will modernize its existing facilities. The expansion is intended to help address Arizona’s need for diagnostic imaging professionals, according to a press release.
“Maricopa is a catalyst for regional workforce development,” Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Steven Bloomberg said. “The expansion of our Radiologic Technology programs helps address Arizona’s need for highly-skilled imaging professionals, while providing affordable, accessible learning environments for students throughout the Valley.”
Arizona’s growing and aging population has increased demand for diagnostic imaging services, while the state has a limited number of training programs available to meet employer demand. According to workforce data from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the imaging workforce vacancy rate in the Mountain Region, which includes Arizona, is 21.6%.
New programs, upgraded facilities
To help address workforce shortages, Maricopa Community Colleges is expanding its Rad Tech program to Estrella Mountain Community College in the West Valley and Paradise Valley Community College in the Northeast Valley, while upgrading facilities at GateWay Community College. The improvements are designed to increase educational capacity, reduce student wait times and support workforce development in Arizona’s healthcare sector.
The upgraded facilities will provide hands-on training using industry-standard equipment and expanded educational opportunities in specialized imaging modalities, including interventional radiology, CT, mammography and MRI. The projects are also intended to align with current industry standards and expand access to clinical and simulation-based learning opportunities.
The expansion builds on Maricopa Community Colleges’ healthcare education offerings, which include more than 70 healthcare programs across its 10 colleges and skill centers.
“Expanding Radiologic Technology to Paradise Valley Community College reflects our commitment to increasing access to career pathways that directly impact the health of our communities,” Paradise Valley Community College President Dr. Jana Schwartz said. “This program creates new opportunities for students in the Northeast Valley while strengthening the region’s ability to meet the growing demand for medical imaging professionals.”
