NNME Southwest Regional Node

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Powering One of America’s Most Strategic Semiconductor Corridors

Anchored by the Arizona Commerce Authority, NNME Southwest activates the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME) strategy across one of the nation’s most critical regions for semiconductor growth.

Spanning Arizona, Southern California, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado, the region represents a major expansion corridor across the full microelectronics value chain—from design and advanced research to manufacturing and packaging.

As an NNME Regional Node, NNME Southwest aligns education, industry, and workforce systems to deliver scalable, employer-responsive training that meets real-time industry demand.

Geographic Reach

Arizona | California | Colorado | New Mexico | Utah

This multi-state footprint connects some of the most advanced semiconductor ecosystems in the country, positioning NNME Southwest as a key driver of national workforce capacity.

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What NNME Southwest Delivers

NNME Southwest is designed to close workforce gaps across the semiconductor ecosystem by:

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Aligning regional stakeholders around shared workforce priorities

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Expanding access to high-quality, industry-aligned training

Supporting pathways from education into employment

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Strengthening talent pipelines across design, manufacturing, and advanced technologies

Regional Strengths

NNME Southwest region brings together a unique concentration of capabilities:

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Semiconductor design and R&D
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Advanced manufacturing and fabrication
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Packaging and assembly
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Space, defense, and national security systems

This diversity enables the Node to support a wide range of career pathways and workforce needs.

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Network of Performers

NNME Southwest operates through a broad consortium of performers working in coordination to deliver impact.

Postsecondary Institutions

Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, Bridgerland Technical College, Central New Mexico Community College, Colorado School of Mines, Community College of Aurora, Fort Lewis College, Grand Canyon University, Maricopa County Community College District, Northern Arizona University, SoCal Network of Partners led by University of California Los Angeles - CNSI and Samueli School of Engineering (7 colleges and universities), University of Arizona, University of New Mexico, University of Utah

Microelectronics Sector Employers

Amkor Technology Arizona, Applied Materials, Arm, HRL Laboratories, Intel, Lam Research, Los Alamos National Laboratory/Sandia National Laboratories, Micron, Muse Semiconductor, Nikon, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Advanced Technology, Synopsys, TEK Systems, Teledyne Scientific Company, The Western Design Center, Inc., Tower Semiconductor, TSMC Arizona Corporation

Workforce Development Organizations

Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, Iberoamerican Technology Foundation, TechSmart Learning Fund

K–12 and STEM Education Partners

Junior Achievement of Arizona, Arizona Technology Council Foundation (SciTech Institute), Pima Joint Technical Education District (JTED)

Economic Development Partners

California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, New Mexico Economic Development Department, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Talent Ready Utah), Arizona Commerce Authority

Community-Based & Technical Partners

Chicanos Por La Causa, Per Scholas, Fresh Start Women’s Foundation

Leadership Team

NNME Southwest is led by a team with deep expertise across workforce development, industry engagement, and regional coordination.

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Ken Burns

Chief Operating Officer, Arizona Commerce Authority

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Kolu Wilson

Chief Workforce Officer, Arizona Commerce Authority

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Vic Narusis

Executive Director, Industry Development, Arizona Commerce Authority

Olga Leslie Teran

Workforce Program Manager, Arizona Commerce Authority

Corinne Smith

Regional Node Manager, NNME Southwest

Get Involved

Organizations interested in partnering with NNME Southwest or supporting workforce development efforts in the region can connect with the NNME team.

Contact NNME