Tucson campus tours get new home at U of A welcome center | Community

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) — The University of Arizona is opening a new space designed to serve as the campus’s “front door” for prospective students and their families.

According to university officials, the new Wildcat Welcome Center, located inside the Student Union Memorial Center, was completed just the fall semester and serves as the new home base for campus tours led by student ambassadors.

School leaders designed the central, welcoming space to support the college-decision process for visiting families. The center aims to help prospective students get a genuine feel for the university’s community and culture, officials said. It features open spaces where high school groups can gather for workshops to learn about academic programs, financial aid, student life, and the application process.

Part of the new center replaces the Gallagher Theater, which once hosted movies inside the student union. In its place, the university built a state-of-the-art, accessibly designed theater where visitors can watch videos about life at the university.

On Sept. 9, a grand opening event will feature appearances by mascots Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat, along with a performance by the Sunnyside Unified School District Mariachi Band. The event will also include remarks from university leaders and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an open house reception and tours.

Scheduled speakers for the ceremony include University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, Rep. Adelita Grijalva, and Kris Wong Davis, who serves as the university’s vice president of enrollment management and dean of undergraduate admissions.