Former State Senator David Schapira has been appointed assistant superintendent at Mesa’s East Valley Institute of Technology.

For all the flak that our state’s education system has taken over the years (I’ve dealt some of it), we proudly lead the nation in an important segment: career and technical education.

Bridges Preschool’s further expansion in the East Valley in the last few months is opening plenty of doors — not just for young children, but high school students as well.

It’ll be good food for a good cause at 6 p.m., March 7, when Mesa’s East Valley Institute of Technology hosts the 21st annual Mystery Chef Dinner benefitting EVIT’s Culinary Arts program.

The Adult Education Department at Mesa’s East Valley Institute of Technology is offering three classes starting in February for those wanting to learn more about air brushing, Adobe Photoshop, and computers.

Sometimes, it takes a pair of outside eyes to see what those who are closest often overlook. Such was the case last year when the East Valley Institute of Technology was touted by TIME magazine as “learning that works.” The writer traveled to Mesa, toured EVIT and saw first-hand how we prepare young people for productive, successful lives while meeting the needs of business and industry. Hearing from EVIT students made the biggest impact. Kids want to come to EVIT. They love it here.

When Mister and Miss EVIT were announced Saturday at the East Valley Institute of Technology, it wasn’t your usual crowning of a high school king and queen.

Gilbert High School senior Emma Allinger will make a grand entrance when EVIT Expo 2013 kicks off Saturday at Mesa’s East Valley Institute of Technology.

It was less than three years ago that Mesa’s The Gold Mine Radio station finally received its FCC license — following a 12-year effort.

As a junior at Scottsdale’s Chaparral High School, Landry Low loved to sew and dreamed of working in fashion design, but wasn’t sure how she would get there. Then at a school event, this 4.6-GPA honors student happened to spot a pamphlet for the East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa.

As it has for years, the Mesa Fire Department invested Thursday in the training of fire science students at the East Valley Institute of Technology by donating an item the school could not otherwise afford: a 1997 Pierce Quantum 4-door cab fire truck.

At the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) no one was sure how a hybrid class of adults and high school students would work — until now. Last week, 22 students ranging in age from 18 to 40-something graduated from the medical assistant program.

More than $80,000 was raised during the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation’s annual “A Night of Heroes” held last week. The event at the Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa in Mesa included a silent auction, dinner, live auction and presentation of the 2012 East Valley Man and Woman of the Year. This year’s honorees were Dr. Jack Dillenberg of A.T. Still University and Linda Hunt of Dignity Health Arizona. More than 300 people attended.