Mesa is quietly becoming a college town,” Somers said. “It’s becoming a
place that has a human-capital-powered knowledge economy. Mesa is now
a place to live, work, play and learn, and that’s an exciting opportunity.”
Somers said that Mesa developed a vision for 100,000 high-wage jobs back
in 2006, positions that demand the science and technology skills for which
GCU has been tailoring its programs.
“Employers want a ‘knowledge work force,’” Somers said, “and that’s where
this fits in…. The future is about campuses that are part of the fabric of the
community. This is the opportunity (GCU) will have at Eastmark.”
Commuter students at start
Mueller said more students today are opting to live at home and continue
involvement in their home churches, and the East Valley is home to several
Christian megachurches. Although the Mesa site will open exclusively to
commuter students, residential living is possible later on for students, he said.
“To hear that we’ll have another campus, in the East Valley, is super exciting,”
said
Jenna Pearson
, a GCU senior from Gilbert who is a member of the
Antelope women’s basketball team.
DMB’s McDonald said GCU students and employees who choose to live at
Eastmark will benefit from the community life that develops through holiday
celebrations, concerts and other activities that DMB is known for promoting
at its properties.
“Relationships are created with residents of our communities, and this will be
a great opportunity for the GCU family,” he said.
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