US Secretary of Treasury visits Mesa Community College. Here’s what to know
The United States Department of the Treasury announced Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen will visit Mesa Community College on Saturday, May 4 to tour automation and engineering labs.
Yellen will be joined by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Mesa Mayor John Giles.
The visit is part of a two day trip Yellen will be taking to Arizona to highlight the Biden administration’s economic agenda and workforce development efforts, according to a release from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
On Thursday, Yellen spoke on for the McCain Institute at the Sedona Forum to champion a strong democracy under Biden, according to her remarks.
Yellen would start her tour of MCC at the Southern and Dobson campus Technology building at 10:30 a.m., according to a press release from her office.
Officials begin to arrive on campus — 9:51 a.m.
Maricopa County Community College District Chancellor Steven Gonzalez, and Mesa Mayor John Giles were both seen on campus awaiting Yellen’s arrival.
Tour to include display of high-tech MCC learning tools — 10:45 a.m
Yellen’s tour appeared to included portions of the south side Technology building, work stations for metal fabrication with individual specialized equipment appeared cleaned and ready to act as hands experience for the students in MCC’s classes.
Yellen’s tour has begun — 10:56 a.m.
Secretary Yellen had entered the high tech metal fabrication classroom along with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallegos, Mesa Mayor John Giles, MCCD Chancellor Gonzalez and MCC Interim President Kimberly Britt.
Yellen, carrying her own purse, was at the front of the group of high ranking officials as she eagerly asked questions to MCC Technology department faculty who lead the tour.
Yellen operated a machine arm engineered to pick up a battery and move it, an example of an automated system in manufacturing.
Yellen also was demonstrated faster, but less precise arms visualizing that possibilities of automated machinery.
Tour shifts to construction — 11:20 a.m.
Yellen and the rest of the group entered the Technology building’s large warehouse style classroom with a large wooden framing structures that demonstrated just another field available to students.
Yellen again appearing to let her curiosity how MCC faculty educated it’s students, examined the contents of a table set up for the photo opportunity.
MCC construction program student Kate Glantz made use of the tools on-site to show Yellen how the campus allows students to enter trade options that were flourishing in Mesa, and the Valley.
Tour ends — 11:30 a.m.
After brief remarks about the tour, Yellen spoke in length to those in attendance, before leaving MCC bound for lunch before a roundtable event also held in Mesa.
Lunch at a Phoenix Mexican food icon — 12:25 p.m.
Yellen stopped for lunch at The Original Carolina’s Mexican Food on 12th street and Mohave street in Phoenix.
Yellen was joined by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Mesa Mayor John Giles.
Secretary Yellen, Gallego and Giles spent 45 minutes sitting and chatting amongst themselves, as patrons would come and go saying hello to the officials.
Half of the restaurant became filled with White House staff enjoying a quick lunch before making preparations for the motorcade to take Yellen back to Mesa for her roundtable discussion.
Yellen arrives for roundtable discussion — 1:50 p.m.
Yellen arrived for a roundtable discussion at a Maricopa County government office in Mesa located near Alma School Road and Southern Avenue.
The discussion would focus on workforce development under the Biden administration, according to a press release.
A stage was seen set up for official remarks.
