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Education Forward Arizona is proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 and the 120 students who earned degrees with support from our scholarship and postsecondary success programs. Their accomplishments represent persistence, talent, and the life-changing power of postsecondary education. They also reflect something bigger: a stronger future for Arizona.
| 2026 Education Progress Meter Updates | |
New Arizona Education Progress Meter updates highlight both important progress and ongoing challenges across Arizona’s education pipeline, including early learning. The data shows that 31% of Arizona children are currently enrolled in quality early learning programs, while families and employers across the state continue to face childcare shortages and access barriers. As Arizona’s economy and workforce needs continue to grow, expanding access to quality early learning remains critical to supporting working families, strengthening student success, and preparing the next generation for future opportunity.
| | CKG Ambassador Among 20 AZ High-School Seniors Selected for 2026 Flinn Scholarship | |
College Knowing & Going (CKG) is focused on preparing more Arizona high school students for postsecondary success through programs that create college-going culture with the support of partner organizations. Graduating CKG Ambassador, Mae Gomez, has recently been named a 2026 Flinn Scholarship recipient.
The Flinn Scholarship is one of Arizona’s most prestigious merit-based awards, providing students with a full ride to an Arizona public university along with leadership and mentorship opportunities.
Mae will attend the University of Arizona this fall to study Aerospace Engineering. Since joining CKG as a Student Ambassador in 2024, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a strong commitment to her community. Mae is also making history as San Luis High School’s first-ever Flinn Scholar.
| Career Training & Workforce | Advancing Arizona’s Education-to-Workforce Ecosystem | |
Education Forward Arizona has entered into an asset transfer agreement with the Arizona Business & Education Coalition (ABEC), under which Education Forward Arizona will become the aligned successor to ABEC’s mission and programming. This mission-driven transition builds on ABEC’s 24-year history of bringing business and education leaders together and leverages Education Forward Arizona’s statewide platform to strengthen align education, workforce, and economic goals.
As the work moves forward, Education Forward Arizona will expand ABEC’s legacy by championing early career awareness, deepening engagement with school district and business leaders, and advocating for systemic changes that grow the state’s talent pipeline and economy.
Tracey Benson, ABEC President & CEO, will serve as an advisor to Education Forward Arizona throughout the transition.
| | In the Media: Education & Workforce Alignment | |
Education Forward Arizona Names Senior Vice President of Education and Workforce Alignment | |
Education Forward Arizona is pleased to welcome Ricardo Lopez Valencia as Senior Vice President of Education and Workforce Alignment. An accomplished executive, strategist, and civic leader, Ricardo will help advance the organization’s 2026–2030 strategic framework by strengthening partnerships among K–12 schools, higher education institutions, employers, and community leaders. His leadership will support efforts to create stronger pathways that connect learners of all ages to degrees, credentials, and high-demand careers across Arizona.
| | Why the Federal Pell Grant Shortfall Matters for Students, Arizona, and Our Economy | | |
Protecting access to education and training after high school is critical to Arizona’s future workforce and economy. In our latest Education Explainer, we break down why the growing federal Pell Grant funding shortfall matters for Arizona students, families, employers, and our state’s long-term economic competitiveness. Pell Grants help thousands of Arizonans access the degrees, certificates, and workforce training needed for high-wage, high-demand careers—and potential cuts could create new barriers for students across the state. Read more about what’s at stake and why federal investment in need-based financial aid matters for Arizona’s future.
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Save the Date for
An InspirED Evening
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Save the date for An InspirED Evening on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa.
Join leaders, partners, and supporters from across Arizona for an inspiring evening celebrating education, workforce readiness, and student success, More details, including honorees and sponsorship opportunities, will be shared soon.
| | Together, We Can Move Arizona Forward | | |
When you invest in Arizona students, you're helping create pathways to opportunity and strengthening our future workforce.
Together, we can help more students achieve their goals and build brighter futures.
Thank you for being part of this collective impact.
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