Amir Hassibi honored as Project Connect Arizona Now concludes
Congratulations, Amir!
A Connecting Minority Communities Grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration that started in fall 2023 called Project Connect Arizona Now (CAN) concluded in January 2026.
The library portion of this grant enabled us to add 400 laptops, 400 WiFi hotspots, and other technology to our technology lending program which allows U of A students to borrow items for free such as laptops, tablets, cameras, web cameras, 3D scanners, projectors, headphones, WiFi hotspots, advanced calculators, and other equipment. These additional resources served more than 800 underserved, low income, and rural/tribal students who checked out the equipment more than 1,700 times during the life of the grant.
Access to technology through the library has become a basic need for student success.
One junior majoring in microbiology, who is Hispanic, first-generation, and a Pell Grant recipient, said, "I was homeless for over a year (first three semesters), and did not always have access to WiFi. I borrowed technology multiple times to help me complete and even attend class. As a nontraditional student, I also have to work and provide for my family. Having access to WiFi and a laptop allowed me to continue engaging in my courses and studying."
While it always takes a village to support efforts like this, Library Services Professional, Technology Lending Supervisor Amir Hassibi in Access and Information Services was critical to the overall success of the program. He was honored at the final stakeholder meeting where the Program Manager Melissa Hall said, "His work significantly advanced the success, sustainability, and community impact of the project and exemplified collaboration, technical excellence, and mission-driven service. Beyond his formal role, Hassibi distinguished himself as a collaborator across the entire Project CAN ecosystem. A defining element of his contribution was his extensive support of the Dunbar Pavilion," a cultural and community center in Tucson, Arizona, dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American history and heritage.
Hassibi volunteered his time to help set up the Tech Lab at Dunbar Pavilion, a modern, community-centered space designed to close the digital divide and support lifelong learning. He also attended community engagement events, and established a high-quality internet infrastructure for the entire facility funded by the Department of Education Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) program for eligible services of schools and libraries.
Thank you
Many thanks to everyone who supported this grant in so many different ways. Your support means we will continue to serve our students for years to come.