AVONDALE – Microsoft has awarded the Maricopa County Community College District’s Maricopa Promise Program $300,000 to provide financial assistance for eligible low- to moderate-income students living in the cities of El Mirage and Goodyear.
Microsoft’s donation is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of the local community by supporting regional economic growth and addressing critical workforce demands. With datacenters located in both El Mirage and Goodyear, Microsoft has had a longstanding partnership with the Maricopa Community Colleges, serving the local communities.
Dr. Rey Rivera, President of Estrella Mountain Community College, noted: “In 2018, we launched the Microsoft Datacenter Academy as a pioneering workforce development initiative designed to bridge the gap between education and industry, thereby developing a talent pipeline. Today, we are one of 17 Datacenter Academies in the world and are paving the way for high-paying, high-demand careers for our students.”
“Businesses must have a skilled workforce to operate. Providing our young adults with a pathway to success is what makes this event so fulfilling. Investing in education is one of the most rewarding benefits of having Microsoft in our city,” said Mayor Alexis Hermosillo.
Microsoft’s latest investment in the community, however, is not solely for future datacenter workers. Qualified high school students, high school graduates, and adult learners in El Mirage and Goodyear with a dream of attaining their first degree in any field have the opportunity to enroll in the Maricopa Promise Program.
“This gift from Microsoft and our Maricopa Promise program expands access to higher education, leading to high-wage, high-demand jobs and fulfilled dreams for the people in our communities. This investment by Microsoft will change lives for residents of Goodyear and El Mirage for generations to come,” added Dr. Tiffany Hernandez, President of Glendale Community College.
The Maricopa Promise Program was launched in Fall 2025 and opens doors for students by providing wraparound support services and a $600 scholarship each semester for 4 consecutive semesters to support the academic program of their choice, whether that’s a certificate, an AA degree, or a Bachelor’s degree.
“The impact doesn’t stop with our students,” said Abran Villegas, Chair Elect of Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Board of Directors. “Every Maricopa Promise Scholar represents potential for our local businesses, industries, and communities. Through counseling, tutoring, mentorship, career services, and other support services, we’re ensuring that every student has the tools to succeed — not just in college, but in life.”
Mayor Joe Pizzillo of the City of Goodyear: “As an educator myself and now mayor, I know when students succeed, our entire community benefits. We strengthen our local workforce, our economy, and our city’s future by investing in our students.”
“Microsoft is proud to support the Maricopa Promise Program to expand access to education for Goodyear and El Mirage residents,” said Jonathan Noble, Sr. Director, Government Affairs at Microsoft. “It’s an honor to continue to partner with Estrella Mountain Community College and Glendale Community College to invest in local talent and remove barriers to opportunity. We’re excited to see even more students learn, lead, and build a bright future for the West Valley.”
Students currently enrolled in Maricopa County Community Colleges can apply to the Maricopa Promise Program.
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Estrella Mountain Community College is one of the ten colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. EMCC offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates, and short-term job training to more than 10,000 students a semester. The flagship campus is located on Thomas and Dysart roads in Avondale. Classes are also offered online and at the EMCC @ West-MEC Southwest Campus at 500 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye.
Glendale Community College provides a bachelor of arts degree, 41 associate degrees, 61 certificate programs, and a range of non-degree offerings, including community education classes, all available to students in traditional, online and hybrid formats. Founded in 1965 to serve the northwestern part of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, the college is part of the Maricopa County Community Colleges District, has two campuses and enrolls approximately 26,000 students annually, and employs approximately 1,000 resident faculty, staff, and administrators with an operational budget of $83 million.
Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, with its donors and partners, supports the Maricopa County Community College District, its students, faculty and staff, through scholarships, programs, equipment, and financial and human capital. Visit www.mcccdf.org to learn more.
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
