Newsletter - February 2025

Arizona’s Achieve60AZ goal is more than just a number

Arizona’s Achieve60AZ goal is more than just a number—it’s a roadmap for our state’s economic future. Yet, with only five years remaining, we need bold action to ensure that 500,000 more Arizonans earn a degree or workforce certificate.

In this recently published Arizona Capitol Times Opinion article, Education Forward Arizona's CEO, Rich Nickel, and Board Chair, John Fees, lay out the critical steps Arizona must take to meet this goal and urge elected officials to:

✔️ Increase substantial investments in education and workforce development

✔️ Develop incentives to make education and training accessible to all

✔️ Instill policies to drive affordability and equity

This is a call to action for policymakers, business leaders, and communities to come together and ensure Arizona’s promise of a thriving economy and prosperity for all Arizonans.

Read Published Article

At Education Forward Arizona, we are passionate about ensuring the success of all AZ students, regardless of zip code. We strongly believe in the transformative power of postsecondary education and the tremendous impact it has on our workforce and economy. As part of our work, we administer scholarships and provide mentorship and wraparound services to hundreds of students each year. Here are five current scholarship opportunities:

Helios 20th Anniversary Pathway Scholarship – Apply by Feb. 14
Guarantee Your Future with Freeport – Apply by Feb. 15
Education Forward Arizona Scholarship – Apply by Mar. 7
Adelante Scholarship (in partnership with Aliento and Helios Education Foundation) – Apply by Mar. 23
Freeport-McMoRan Native American Scholarship Program – Apply by May 1

Together, we can empower more students to achieve their educational goals and create brighter futures for themselves and Arizona. To learn more about each scholarship, please visit our website.

Learn More

Education Advocacy Updates

New Legislative Update

This past Monday, marked the last day for bills to be introduced for the 2025 Legislative session in Arizona. In line with Education Forward Arizona’s advocacy priorities the following list of bills will be monitored closely by our team. As an education advocate, you are able to track each bill’s progress and voice your support or opposition through the Arizona Legislative website.

2025 Education Related Bills:

SB 1247 - Support
HB 2648 - Support
HB 2778 - Support
HB 2643 - Support
SB 1028 - Oppose

Read the full Legislative Update Blog to learn more about the 2025 Bills we will be monitoring, along with an update on Prop 123!

Upcoming Power Hour

Join Education Forward Arizona on Feb. 25 from Noon - 1 p.m. for a virtual webinar to learn more about Industry Partnerships that allow K-12 students to participate in career exploration while in high school.

You will hear from an expert panel of guests who will share information highlighting numerous models that exist in Arizona to connect youth to outstanding career opportunities while in high school. We hope to see you there!

New College and Career Planning Resource Website for Arizona Students and Families

Arizona College Access Network (AzCAN), an Education Forward Arizona program, recently developed a website designed specifically to help Arizona students and families understand, explore, and plan for their post-high school pathway. This website is laid out in four distinct phases for students and parents to navigate their pathway to success.

Please share this resource with your students, families, and networks!

Step 1: Prepare - Plan Now for What's Next
Step 2: Discover - Discover Your Direction
Step 3: Plan - Put Your Plan Into Action
Step 4: Fund Your Future

Guide To Your Future

Scholar Spotlight

Tara Roanhorse: A Star Rising at NASA

Tara Roanhorse, a Freeport-McMoRan Native American scholarship recipient who is interning with NASA Office of STEM Engagement is living out her passion in communications. She's creating engaging content, while sharing STEM resources through social media to help inspire future interns and let them know that there's space for everyone in science and technology.

Tara's journey is a powerful reminder that representation matters. Her advice:

"Be willing to try something new and scary. You are your ancestors' wildest dreams come true."

Our scholarship recipients and the students we serve across Arizona are shaping the future through their academic pursuits. Together, we can empower and support more Arizonans to chase their dream careers and build a brighter tomorrow!