Arizona State University’s West Valley campus is becoming more than a place to earn a degree. As the region continues to grow, the campus is evolving alongside it, creating connections between education, business and community.
For Bobbi Magdalen, Executive Director for the Office of Government and Community Engagement at ASU, building those connections is at the heart of her work.
“My role is to build partnerships that advance the university’s mission, strengthen our communities and create new opportunities for learners,” Magdalen says.
Today, the West Valley campus offers more than 125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and works closely with schools, businesses and community organizations to create opportunities that respond to the region’s needs.
“ASU and the West Valley grow stronger together,” Magdalen says. “Our partnerships help translate university knowledge and research into practical solutions.”
That connection can be seen through initiatives like the Small and Medium-sized Businesses Lab, which brings ASU students and faculty together with local entrepreneurs to address real-world challenges. Programs in integrated engineering, interdisciplinary forensics, technology and entrepreneurship are also helping prepare students for growing industries throughout the West Valley.
Innovation extends into the classroom through Dreamscape Learn, which uses virtual reality and cinematic storytelling to immerse students in subjects such as biology, chemistry and astronomy.
Beyond academics, students are encouraged to serve through volunteerism, civic engagement and hands-on learning, while local residents can connect with ASU through public events, cultural programming, lifelong learning and community partnerships.
For Magdalen, those relationships are especially meaningful during a season centered on gratitude.
“I am grateful to be part of a university and a community that values both access and excellence,” she says. “I am especially grateful for the West Valley partners who share that commitment.”
Ultimately, Magdalen hopes residents see the campus as their university an educational, economic, cultural, and social anchor for the region.
“We are proud to be part of the West Valley and grateful for the opportunity to serve its communities.”