Rep. Ciscomani Celebrates Grand Opening of the Wildcat Welcome Center at the University of Arizona

September 9, 2026 Press Release 'The new Wildcat Welcome Center will serve as the gateway for prospective Wildcats and their families, providing an engaging first look at all the University of Arizona has to offer.' Tucson, AZ - U.S. Representative Ciscomani joined the Wildcat community today for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the University of Arizona’s new Wildcat Welcome Center, a space dedicated to welcome prospective students and their families to campus. "It was an honor to join the Wildcat community for this momentous occasion," said Rep. Juan Ciscomani. "The new Wildcat Welcome Center will serve as the gateway for prospective Wildcats and their families, providing an engaging first look at all the University of Arizona has to offer. As the first stop on campus, it will set the stage for countless students’ journeys to becoming Wildcats." The Wildcat Welcome Center, located inside the Student Union Memorial Center, will serve as the central hub for campus tours, enrollment events, workshops, and student experiences. Future Wildcats and their families will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant University of Arizona community and culture. Completed at the outset of the fall semester, the center is now the home base for student ambassador-led campus tours. As Arizona’s only member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Ciscomani has championed federal investments that strengthen the University of Arizona’s leadership in innovation, research, and workforce development. Most recently, Rep. Ciscomani championed $2 million for Applied Hypersonics and Directed Energy Integration, which will support workforce development in these critical fields by providing state-of-the-art testing and manufacturing equipment for hypersonics and directed energy research. The investment has already cleared its first major legislative hurdle and remains a priority in the ongoing appropriations process. "The University of Arizona is preparing the next generation for the jobs and industries of the future, and I am proud to advocate for the federal investments that make this work possible," said Rep. Ciscomani. "From welcoming future Wildcats to advancing groundbreaking research, we are ensuring Arizona remains a leader in innovation and opportunity. As a proud U of A alum, I am committed to keeping our university a premier destination for Arizona students and all those looking to join the Wildcat family." The Sept. 9 grand opening celebration included remarks from university leaders, appearances by Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat, a performance by the Sunnyside Unified School District Mariachi Band, a ribbon cutting, an open house reception, and student ambassador-led tours. Read local coverage of the event HERE and HERE . Image ### Issues : Education