Foundation Presents 2023-2026 Strategic Plan
With partnerships, student needs and education evolving at hyper speed, it has never been more important for us to keep pace. The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF) Strategic Plan was developed to build a sustainable framework that clearly states where the Foundation is headed and how we’re going to get there, while keeping the interests of our students, staff, donors and community at the forefront of our direction.
Aligning with the Maricopa County Community Colleges District (MCCCD) Strategic Plan, our plan ensures that our successes are dependent upon one another and that we align with MCCCD’s objectives. We do this by focusing upon key strategies that have set goals, activities and posted milestones.
Everyone should have the opportunity to improve their lives through education, and this plan boldly sets out to make an even greater impact for the future.
Click here to read the MCCF Strategic Plan.
Your Support Means Everything To Our Students
We receive thank you notes from students whose educational journeys have been changed, thanks to your support. This month we are pleased to share a note we received from Enedina, a Glendale Community College (GCC) and Rio Salado College (RSC) student:
Thank you! This support will help me pay for my internet and will allow me to be able to do my online classes. I was worried that my lack of internet, and not having transportation to go to campus to use the internet there, was going to cause me to fall behind; but now I will be able to pay my internet and finish my classes all thanks to your kindness and generosity. This makes me happy because I will stay on track and not have to repeat any classes next semester.
I currently have a 3.7 GPA and am planning to apply for the honors program next semester. My education is important to me because I am a first generation. I am the youngest of six siblings, and neither my parents or older siblings finished high school nor have a college education. Not only will I be the first in my family to be getting a degree, but I am also inspiring and setting a great example to my children.
Read Enedina’s full story here plus additional thank you notes from students across our District, here.
Support For Microsoft Datacenter Continues
To Help Build 21st Century Workforce
Microsoft’s Datacenter Community Affairs Division is donating $100,000 to the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF) for 2024-25 Microsoft Datacenter Academy Scholarships. Stating that the Foundation’s new EmpowerED for Student Success campaign aligns with the objectives of this donation, the renewed funding is aimed at the goal of improving student success for underprivileged and underrepresented students.
Thanks to the continued support of the Microsoft Corporation, Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) and Glendale Community College (GCC) students seeking jobs in the information technology (IT) sector, have access to a streamlined tract via the Microsoft Datacenter Academy. The specialized Academy lab, equipment, and courses available at EMCC and GCC provide students with a one-of-a-kind experience.
Microsoft’s investment provides scholarships for students participating in the academy, builds digital skills, and provides career pathways for students in the growing IT sector and also funds equipment at the EMCC location. The partnership comes in conjunction with Microsoft’s data centers in Goodyear and El Mirage, near the two colleges.
The Maricopa Community College District (MCCCD) remains a steadfast pipeline for workforce development in Greater Phoenix and across Arizona. As billion-dollar corporations like Microsoft are investing in and relocating to Arizona, MCCCD serves as a catalyst for economic growth by providing education and training that prepares a well-equipped workforce for our state’s diverse industries.
“Our partnership with Microsoft enables us to work together to provide our students with the real-world skills they need to be successful in the high-demand, high-paying field of IT. Our local employers have great career opportunities and our students receive the education and critical skills needed to enter those exciting careers,” said Dr. Susan Campbell, Dean, Academic Affairs – Career & Technical Education, Glendale Community College.
Connecting Arizona employers with a highly-qualified workforce strengthens our commitment to bridging the gap between education and occupation and MCCF continues to establish strong partnerships with industry leaders by working together to find innovative and creative solutions to address today’s challenges. With industry-led partnerships, such as the Microsoft Datacenter Academy, students are ready to enter the workforce in a short period of time.
Learn more about our community partnerships, here.
New Year Brings New Opportunities To Give
Did you know that there are gifting tools that can pay you income for life and have the remainder benefit your favorite Maricopa Community College scholarship or program?
There is a new opportunity for you to create a Charitable Gift Annuity with retirement assets, like your IRA. You can receive lifetime income and not have to worry about stock market volatility. You can direct what is left after your lifetime to benefit the causes you care about.
Also, there are other tools, such as Charitable Remainder Trusts and Pooled Income Funds, that can pay your income for life. They also help with other taxes like capital gains tax and provide an income tax deduction.
To discuss smart ways to give that provide income, please contact either Judy Sanchez, Chief Development Officer, MCCF at 480.731.8739, [email protected].
Innovative Education Programs Bridge
Arizona’s Workforce Gap
Arizona’s technology sector is experiencing remarkable growth, particularly in Greater Phoenix. The state has become a sought-after location for industry giants due to its low corporate tax rates, skilled workforce and renewable energy potential. According to the Arizona Commerce Authority, notable companies such as Apple, Insight, Microsoft, Moov Technologies, and Waymo have already made the move.
The Consumer Technology Association reported that Arizona ranks fifth in the nation for innovation and is one of 13 states named Innovation Champions. This demonstrates the state’s commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. Maricopa Community Colleges, with 10 colleges and 31 satellite locations, remains at the forefront of innovation and technology by developing cutting-edge programs that meet the demands of Arizona’s workforce.
“This is an exciting time for Arizona,” said Steven R. Gonzales, Ed.D., Chancellor of MCCCD. “Our system is looking forward to the work ahead as we continue to prioritize innovative programs that elevate our state’s growing workforce. As part of our 2024 innovation agenda, we will further develop programs that put us at the forefront of educational excellence while serving as a driving force for the state’s economic demands.”
Have you signed up to support the Foundation through a loyalty program?
Fry’s Community Rewards is a program that supports our students with every eligible purchase you make with your Fry’s VIP card. Simply log-in to your Fry’s account and search for the Maricopa Community College District Foundation either by name or LV566 and click ENROLL.
We are accepting vehicle donations!
The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation has partnered with Flexco Fleet Services to provide a vehicle donation program giving you another way to make a charitable gift and help students along the way. Your old car may have seen “better days” but when you donate it to the Foundation, you will have a direct impact on students and receive a 100% tax deductible donation. This is a convenient alternative to selling or trading in your old vehicle and Flexco will do all the work! To learn more, or if you have a vehicle you would like to donate, please contact Janet Smail at Flexco Fleet Services at [email protected] or fill out the vehicle donation form, here.
