Arizona’s public universities fuel semiconductor growth

As the global semiconductor industry gathers in Phoenix this week for SEMICON West 2025, the largest microelectronics trade conference in North America, Arizona’s public universities are taking center stage. This marks the first time the conference is being hosted in Arizona, as the state showcases its transformation into a microelectronics powerhouse. With more than 35,000 attendees expected at the Phoenix Convention Center, the conference is an opportunity to spotlight Arizona’s emergence as a national leader in advanced manufacturing, research and workforce development. 

Arizona’s public universities – Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona – are central to the state’s strategy to attract semiconductor investment and create high-wage jobs. Through innovative research and practical training, the universities are aligning academic programs to meet industry demands and prepare graduates for careers in this fast-growing field. These efforts also reflect the goals of the Arizona Board of Regents’ AZ Opportunity initiative, which aims to connect higher education to the state’s evolving workforce needs.

Arizona’s focus on building strong semiconductor infrastructure through its higher education system is helping attract major industry investment and retain talent in Arizona. By offering clear pathways from education to employment, the universities are fueling the state’s long-term economic success and ensuring Arizona remains competitive in a fast-changing global market. Since 2020, Arizona has secured more than $210 billion in semiconductor-related investments and more than 25,000 projected new jobs, more than any other state.

“Arizona’s public universities are strategically focused on preparing students not just for today’s jobs, but for the industries that will shape our future,” said ABOR Chair Doug Goodyear. “The board appreciates the leadership of our university presidents and state partners in building the talent pipeline that’s driving Arizona’s growth in semiconductors. Industry leaders consistently tell us that they’re choosing to build and invest here in Arizona because of our statewide infrastructure, from research labs to training centers, as well as the strength of our higher education system.”

The Arizona Commerce Authority has made strategic investments in all three of Arizona’s public universities to help strengthen the state’s semiconductor ecosystem. $47.5 million in funding to ASU is enabling the first-of-its-kind Applied Materials / ASU Materials-to-Fab Laboratory at the university’s MacroTechnology Works facility and supporting the development of advanced packaging and gallium nitride manufacturing. NAU received $13 million to establish a Semiconductor Workforce Training Center and research lab at its North Valley Campus in Phoenix, expanding access to high-quality, affordable training programs for careers in engineering, quantum computing and microelectronics. At the U of A, $35.5 million is fueling the expansion of its Micro/Nano Fabrication Center in Tucson, boosting research capacity in semiconductors, optoelectronics, photonic devices and quantum technologies.

“Our investment in Arizona’s public universities reflects our commitment to building the skilled workforce needed to support the semiconductor industry’s growth,” said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “The universities are developing career-ready talent and driving innovation, which is helping position Arizona as a national leader in microelectronics. This industry is critical to our state’s long-term economic strength, and we’re proud to support the infrastructure that makes Arizona a top destination for global investment.”

Beyond these investments, each university brings distinct strengths that support Arizona’s semiconductor strategy. 

This week, ASU opened the $270 million Materials-to-Fab Center, in partnership with Applied Materials, giving students and researchers access to state-of-the-art semiconductor tools and accelerating innovation in packaging and materials science.

NAU is leveraging its newly earned R1 research status to address the industry’s technician shortage. Through its microelectronics metrology certificate program students can gain the skills to operate, calibrate and maintain advanced metrology instruments used in semiconductor fabrication, preparing them for critical roles in process control and quality assurance. 

At the U of A, the Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing is advancing Arizona’s leadership in microelectronics through cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary education and industry collaboration. Faculty from optics, engineering, science and applied technology are working together to design and develop high-performance computer architectures, co-packaged optics, photonic integrated circuits, photonic and phononic quantum devices, and hybrid computing platforms, all while preparing students for careers in semiconductor manufacturing.

With strong partnerships across industry, state agencies and national research efforts, as well as a commitment to teaching and technology development, ASU, NAU and the U of A are helping define the future of microelectronics. Their work is laying the foundation for breakthroughs yet to come, ensuring Arizona remains a destination for discovery, talent and transformative technology.