We're feeling extra InspirED this October...

E-NEWSLETTER: OCTOBER 2023

We're InspirED by these Education Changemakers

We recently held our annual fundraising event, An InspirED Evening. It was a special evening honoring education changemakers in our state who are committed to creating a better future for Arizona. Special thanks to Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs for attending and providing remarks to kick off the event.

Learn about our remarkable Award Winners

Luminary Award Winner: Tracy Bame, President, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation

Through programs like the Freeport-McMoRan Native American Scholarship Program, DreamBuilder, Dig Into Mining, and multiple partnerships with higher education institutions, Bame’s innovative efforts have made lasting impacts on students in the state.

North Star Award Winners:

⭐ Arizona Board of Regents was recognized for the Arizona Promise Program, which makes higher education more accessible and affordable for more Arizona students and their families.

⭐ ALL In Education was recognized for their Parent Educator Academy, which equips parents and caregivers with the essential skills needed to support students as they navigate their educational journeys.

⭐ Arizona Western College was recognized for their Dual Enrollment program, which allows high school students to get a head start on their postsecondary education.

Watch Award Winner Videos

We are grateful to our attendees, sponsors, staff, and board of directors for helping to make this event a huge success!

Special thanks to our Event Co-Chairs Chevy Humphrey, President and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, and Richard Adkerson, Chairman and CEO of Freeport-McMoRan.

We hope to see you at this event next year!

Adelante Scholar Spotlight

Valery Emilia Martinez Almeida

Adelante Scholarship Recipient

Grand Canyon University,

Class of 2024

Bachelor of Science in Sociology,

with minors in Psychology and Communication

Through the Helios Adelante Scholars Initiative – created in partnership with Aliento and Education Forward Arizona – we are able to provide scholarships and mentorship support for students whose higher education goals were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to this scholarship, students like Valery are re-engaging in their pursuit of a higher education.

"It became increasingly challenging to remain focused on my educational goals amidst the fear and disruption caused by the global health crisis. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to express how this funding support will positively impact my educational journey."

We are excited to see students like Valery persist and thrive because of the Helios Adelante Scholarship!

Creating a College Knowing & Going Culture

We recently hosted more than 100 college-access professionals and student ambassadors at our inaugural College Knowing & Going (CKG) Statewide Collaborative! The event, hosted by CKG Program Coordinators, cultivated an environment of learning, networking, and sharing of ideas to better serve the 30 high schools in Arizona that participate in this program.

College Knowing & Going works to create a schoolwide culture in which all stakeholders – administration, counselors, teachers, community members, students, and families – work collaboratively to ensure that low-income, first-generation, and underserved Arizona high school students not only graduate, but are prepared for college.

Learn More About CKG

Addressing Attainment and Workforce Shortages Through Postsecondary Education Programming

We recently held a press conference with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), Banner Health, McCarthy Building Companies, and South Mountain Community College as part of a commitment to help significantly advance the number of Arizonans pursuing higher education and training opportunities in our state. The gathering was designed to focus on the urgent attainment problem facing Arizona while calling attention to the opportunity the state has to create a larger pipeline of home-grown, skilled workers to fuel long-term economic stability.

Read Article

Everything to Gain on KJZZ-91.5 FM

Arizona has everything to gain when more students enroll in education and training after high school. In this radio interview, our President and CEO, Rich Nickel, shares more about our Everything to Gain campaign along with the risks Arizona faces if the educational attainment of residents does not increase.

Ask Benji is Back!

Our free FAFSA support tool and chatbot, Ask Benji, launched this month for the '23-'24 school year. More than 180 high schools (and counting!) across Arizona partner with Ask Benji. This allows us to reach more than 33,000 high school seniors to help guide them with FAFSA and provide them with college readiness resources.

Ask Benji is free to all - text "Hi Benji" to 602-786-8171 to get started!

About Us

Everything to Gain

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