APRIL 2024

Advocating for education in our state is an important aspect of our work at Education Forward Arizona. Each year, we create our organization’s advocacy priorities. We believe prioritizing education will strengthen Arizona, our economy and the future workforce. 

Our three Community Impact Managers, Laura Rosensweet, Melinda Gomez and Donna Davis, advocate across the state from Flagstaff to Tucson to Yuma and everywhere in between. They work diligently with community groups, business and education leaders, and elected officials sharing important, research-based data and information about how Arizona has Everything to Gain when students continue their education and training after high school. 

*Pictured: Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz and Melinda Gomez at the Early Childhood Day at the Capitol event.

Want to get involved? Here are some ways:

Scholarship Deadline Approaching

Applications for the Freeport-McMoRan Native American College Scholarship Program close June 1, 2024. Help us spread the word on this incredible opportunity to support students attending community college, tribal college, four-year university, or trade school. Learn more here.

Etiquette Dinner for Scholars

Our Success Services team does incredible work to ensure our scholarship recipients have the tools and experiences necessary to succeed in their future careers. Throughout a five-course meal prepared and served by Metro Tech High School students, our scholars learned how to navigate professional dining environments under the guidance of Melissa Goitia from Arizona State University. Events like these play a crucial role in boosting scholars' confidence and preparing them for real-world situations.

After more than a decade at Glendale Community College, Michelle Alcantar has joined the Education Forward Arizona team as Director of Workforce Development. Michelle has been hard at work leading our new initiative, Guarantee Your Future with Freeport. This workforce training program will guarantee select students a scholarship, training, and job placement at one of Freeport-McMoRan's rural Arizona copper mines.

Michelle was also recently recognized by the Phoenix Union Foundation For Education – watch the video here. We are proud to have her as part of our team and to share her recent recognition for her work in education. 

The message about the value of education and training beyond high school is gaining traction across the state and we will continue this drumbeat through our Everything to Gain campaign. We are grateful for the education and business leaders across Arizona who are supporting this effort — read more below.

Coconino Voices: Northern Arizona Has Everything to Gain

Julie Pastrick and Eric Heiser

Guest Column: Arizona is All In for Postsecondary Education

Dr. Daniel Corr and Dr. Robert Trenschel