Removing Barriers and Unlocking Potential Through Community Collaboration
A Letter from Julie Dunnigan
President & CEO, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation
Dear Friends and Supporters,
This year will be remembered as a period of meaningful change and great accomplishments for both the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and the Maricopa County Community College District. Through record-breaking fundraising, inspiring events, and a passing of the presidential torch, one constant remained: your unwavering generosity and belief in our students and our commitment to removing barriers to higher education.
We opened doors and created opportunities this year. Together, we raised $14.78 million, awarded 5,682 scholarships, and provided nearly $660,000 in emergency support, including critical assistance to 1,460 students facing unexpected hardship.
A significant share of funding came from Heroes of Education, our signature event held in November 2025 at the Heard Museum. In addition to raising $209,000, the celebration Honoring Heritage: Empowering Futures expanded awareness of our mission with over 400 in attendance, and strengthened partnerships among donors and community leaders. It was also where I had the pleasure of meeting many of you for the first time!
As we build momentum for this year, two of our initiatives stand out and are highlighted in this report. First, the future-focused expansion of our Maricopa Promise Programs, in which clearer guidelines have been established to ensure uniformity across cities and the development of innovative funding solutions that help students with limited financial options to stay on track toward degree completion. And second, programs that are addressing the growing demand for skilled trades professionals, like the $1 million Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grant in support of the construction trades.
The District bolstered its bachelor’s degree programs this year, recognizing the clear and growing benefits of earning a four-year degree at a community college—where students have strong completion rates and competitive post-graduation earnings, and significantly lower tuition than at traditional universities.
None of these powerful programs would be successful without steady leadership. Following the retirement of former President and CEO Brian Spicker in May 2025, our Foundation Board of Directors, led by President Caroline Lynch, conducted a thoughtful CEO search. During the transition, Judy Sanchez, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, served as Interim President and CEO, providing strategic direction and sound guidance.
I am truly honored to serve as the new President and CEO of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, and I am deeply inspired with what we can accomplish. As I look toward our bright future, I am eager to break down barriers and unlock our state’s greatest potential: our Maricopa Community College students!
With Gratitude,
Julie Dunnigan
“This program is helping me expand my job options — not just carpentry in general but looking into electrical, plumbing, and good stuff in the construction industry.”
Sererjio L., Construction Management Student
Partnership in Practice
Securing this investment in our community is a powerful demonstration of partnership and workforce investment between the Lowe’s Foundation, the Maricopa County Community College District, and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation.
According to the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, the state will add 37,000 new construction jobs by 2031. This grant investment is building more than just infrastructure. It’s building confidence, capability, and lifelong opportunity for students ready to shape their futures and strengthen their communities.
Building Opportunity
For many skilled students, access stands in the path to a skilled trade career. A $1 million Gable Grant from the Lowe’s Foundation is bolstering construction trades training across three community colleges.
Hands-On Training With Real-World Impact
Maricopa Community Colleges are one of only 11 recipients selected for this award as part of a nationwide initiative supporting high-demand skilled trades careers. It will enhance hands-on learning environments and broaden access into plumbing, electrical, carpentry, construction management, and many more sectors.
At Mesa Community College, expanded lab space and new outdoor training areas mean students can practice skills in conditions that mirror real job sites. South Mountain Community College is growing its Construction Trades Institute offerings and recruitment efforts, while Rio Salado College will provide OSHA certification for hundreds of learners, including those in its incarcerated re-entry program. Across all sites, the grant supports student stipends to ease the financial burden of education and participation.
Powering Arizona’s Semiconductor Future
Semiconductors power the devices we rely on every day, but it’s people who power the industry. A grant in support of the Future48 Workforce Accelerator is enabling more students at GateWay Community College to step into careers that are shaping Arizona’s technology foothold.
Leading by Example
In 2024, the Maricopa County Community College District partnered with GateWay Community College, Governor Katie Hobbs, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and local industry to lead the state’s first semiconductor-focused Future48 Workforce Accelerator. This groundbreaking training ecosystem is designed to prepare students for high-wage careers in microelectronics, one of Arizona’s fastest-growing industries.
Set to open in 2027 on GateWay’s Central City campus, the Future48 Accelerator will house a state-of-the-art fab lab featuring a full-size mock clean room with modular workstations where students gain experience in semiconductor processing, robotics, and automated handling. These are the skills in high demand at local companies like Intel, TSMC, and NXP. Beyond technical training, the facility’s wraparound services, like transportation, tutoring, and counseling, help remove common barriers to completion and career entry.
“If I hadn’t had the opportunity to attend Rio, I definitely wouldn’t be teaching in the classroom right now. But because Maricopa Community Colleges offered the four-year degree at such an affordable price, I believe that many more teachers could make that decision if they knew it was possible.”
Bachelor's Degrees Reimagined
Nearly seven in 10 jobs in Arizona will soon require education beyond high school, yet the cost of a bachelor’s degree has tripled over the past 25 years. For many students, the dream of earning a four-year degree has felt financially out of reach.
The Maricopa Community Colleges have changed the post-secondary landscape by offering 11 industry-aligned bachelor’s degrees at the lowest-cost tuition in Maricopa County.
Where Access Meets Excellence
Maricopa Community Colleges began offering bachelor’s degrees in fall 2023. In just two years, enrollment has grown from 1,800 to 8,746 students, with more than 10,000 students expected in FY 25/26. And the impact goes beyond growth.
- 93% of students graduate debt-free
- 60% are first-generation college students
- Many students are balancing careers, children, and community commitments while pursuing their degrees
The current 11 degree programs were intentionally selected to support high-impact, high-demand professions in the community, building the pipeline for Arizona’s future workforce. Additional programs are also in the works – to learn more, visit www.maricopa.edu/degrees-certificates/bachelors-degrees.
Since the program’s start, 262 students have earned bachelor’s degrees, staying close to home while building brighter futures. Community college is no longer just an entry point to higher education, but also a destination for completion where possibility trumps cost.
“This scholarship has truly been life-changing. As a mother of three and a full-time student, it has eased the financial burden on my family and allowed me to focus more on my studies. I’ve been able to participate in clinical experiences and stay actively involved in community service through my volunteer work with St. Vincent de Paul. After graduation, I plan to work as a registered nurse in Phoenix, giving back to the same community that has invested in me.”
“I’m truly grateful for the support from the City of Phoenix Promise scholarship. The award helped me feel like I belong to something, after growing up feeling like an outcast and eventually dropping out of high school. Now, I’m one of the top Honors students in the state. Phoenix Promise gave me a reason to push harder and pursue remarkable academic excellence. My master’s degree is now not only possible, but inevitable.”
“This scholarship has been a game-changer for my family. Between juggling childcare, work, and classes, the financial relief has given me breathing room to actually focus on becoming the best teacher I can be. Your investment in my education means more than just helping one student—it’s helping create a teacher who will impact hundreds of Phoenix children in the years to come. Thank you for believing in me and my dreams.”
Scaling Access, Sustaining Impact
When students don’t have to choose between paying rent and paying tuition, they can focus on what truly matters: their future. The Maricopa Promise Program was designed to remove the barriers that stop capable and eager students from enrolling, attending, and graduating.
Meeting Students Where They Are
The Promise Program was first launched at Mesa Community College in 2021 in partnership with the City of Mesa. The student outcome data from this effort was very promising, demonstrating a semester-to-semester retention rate of 70%, which is 15% higher than that of students not receiving Promise support.
Mesa’s success prompted the launch of additional Promise Programs funded by partner municipalities: Phoenix Promise, Scottsdale Promise, Peoria Promise, Tempe Promise, and the Town of Queen Creek Promise. In 2025, the Phoenix Promise Program alone provided scholarships and stipends to 1,669 students, addressing both tuition and the real-life expenses that often derail college plans, including childcare, transportation, technology, and wraparound services.
Scaling a Statewide Commitment
In 2024, the Foundation convened Arizona’s first College Promise Summit at South Mountain Community College. The event brought together leaders from higher education, philanthropy, business, and government to align around a scalable, statewide Promise model.
As a result, the Helios Education Foundation, Arizona Community Foundation, the City of Peoria, SRP, and Microsoft committed to seed funding for the launch of a unified Maricopa Promise Program that will enable eligible students to attend any of the District’s 10 colleges under consistent guidelines.
Concurrently, an innovative partnership in Mesa introduced revenue-generating Promise Program billboards projected to raise nearly $400,000 annually, creating sustainable funding for the City of Mesa’s Promise students.
The Maricopa Promise is more than a scholarship. It is a coordinated investment in students — and in the belief that college opportunity should be defined by ambition, not income.
Campaign Update
EmpowerED is a bold, collaborative initiative by the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and all ten colleges to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. The three-year, $20 million effort is focused on lifting students up, empowering them to stay in school, and encouraging them to complete their goals.
Transforming Support Into Success
EmpowerED goes beyond traditional scholarships by investing in areas that make an immediate impact for students. Funds raised help remove barriers through:
- Scholarships and stipends to reduce financial stress
- Basic-needs support for essentials like food, housing, transportation, and childcare
- Workforce development partnerships that connect education with in-demand careers
- Innovative programming to sustain and scale Promise initiatives across the District
Community Impact Through Generous Giving
The campaign has attracted transformational support from donors who share this vision of access and opportunity including State Farm, The Burton Family Foundation, QTS and The Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation who has specifically helped tackle Arizona’s critical nursing shortage by supporting workforce and scholarship programs that prepare students for careers where they are most needed.
As EmpowerED nears its goal, every dollar raised represents a student whose path through college is clearer, stronger, and more hopeful. It’s an investment in both individuals and a more robust Arizona.
To help us reach our goal, visit mcccdf.org/empowered.
2025 Heroes of Education
The 2025 Heroes of Education event was an overwhelming success! Over 400 supporters gathered at the Heard Museum to honor Individual Hero Todd Sanders, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce; Corporate Hero APS; Honorary Heroes our seven Tribal Partners: Ak-Chin Indian Community, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and the Tohono O’odham Nation; and ten heroes selected by each of the colleges.
Co-chaired by Foundation Board Members Sherri Thomas and Cathy Brown, and emceed by Arizona’s own Mary Kim Titla, the evening was a powerful demonstration of the community’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and ensuring student success. Thanks to the generous support of our presenting sponsors, APS and Peter Banko, along with our other valued sponsors, the event raised $209,000 for student scholarships and emergency assistance.
Congratulations to Our College Heroes
Honorable Mentions
Leading with Purpose: Judy Sanchez Honored for Advancing Opportunity
In 2025, Judy Sanchez, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, was honored with the YWCA Tribute to Leadership Award, recognizing her lifelong work to create accessible pathways for students of all backgrounds.
With more than two decades of service across the Maricopa system, Sanchez has championed efforts that break down barriers and expand access to higher education. From her early work strengthening donor partnerships and elevating college development efforts to her current leadership in fundraising, stewardship, and community engagement, her efforts have helped ensure that more students have the support they need to thrive.
This award highlights Sanchez’s belief that equity is about more than just opening doors. It’s about ensuring students have the resources, support, and empowerment they need to succeed.
Phoenix Business Journal: We Made the List!
The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF) recently ranked 29th among the largest cultural-education nonprofits in the Phoenix area according to Phoenix Business Journal.
Our Supporters Power Our Vision
Peter Banko
For Peter Banko, the most important investment he can make isn’t in global markets… It’s in students.
As a proud Phoenix College alumnus, Mr. Banko knows firsthand how transformative opportunity can be. Now, through a personally established endowment, he is ensuring that Global Studies students at Phoenix College have access to the same life-changing experiences that once shaped his own path.
Mr. Banko’s vision is bold and intentional: grow the scholarship endowment to generate $20,000 annually for students pursuing international studies.
The scholarship is designed to encourage students who are curious about the world but may lack the financial means to explore it. This may include first-generation college students, future diplomats, international business leaders, educators, and bridge-builders. Mr. Banko believes that exposure to global perspectives strengthens not only individual careers but entire communities.
Along with his endowment, Mr. Banko has also helped to preserve and honor the legacy of other leaders, specifically Phoenix College’s first female president, Myrna Harrison. While his professional legacy has had a global impact, his philanthropic values are local, ensuring Phoenix College remains a place where students can think globally, lead purposefully, and carry forward a spirit of international understanding for generations to come.
“I want to support those intellectually inquisitive students who seek out dramatic change in their environment and may question what they have long taken for granted.”
Peter Banko, Foundation Donor
Dr. Casey Durandet
A nationally recognized physics professor at Paradise Valley Community College and recipient of the Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Award, Dr. Casey Durandet has transformed her passion for physics and mentorship into lasting financial support for the students she believes in most.
Through three endowed scholarships, she is expanding access and opportunity across disciplines. The Dr. Casey Durandet – Dr. Millard A. Lee Excellence in STEM Scholarship supports PVCC students pursuing STEM majors. The James Richard Forsman – Casey M. Durandet K–12 Education Fund assists future educators earning degrees in Elementary and Special Education. Most recently, the Dr. William L. “Hank” Mancini STEM Athletic Scholarship supports student-athletes majoring in STEM fields.
Dr. Durandet’s endowments, legacy gift, and relentless commitment to her students ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of future scientists, teachers, and innovators, creating a ripple effect that will strengthen Arizona’s workforce for generations.
“Education lifts our economy and the future prospects of the Valley. My hope is that these scholarships continue helping students take their first steps, whether into labs, classrooms, or breakthroughs not yet discovered. It’s all about the students!”
Dr. Casey Durandet, Foundation Donor
Dr. Phillip D. Randolph
Dr. Phillip D. Randolph has devoted more than 35 years to Maricopa Community Colleges, helping shape education and workforce development across the West Valley. Beginning in 1972 as an automotive faculty member at Glendale Community College (GCC), he built the automotive technology program from the ground up before serving in key leadership roles, including Dean, President of GateWay Community College, Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, and ultimately the fifth President of GCC.
Throughout his career, Dr. Randolph forged strong industry partnerships and expanded scholarships to support students with essential needs. His legacy lives well beyond his retirement through the Dr. Phillip D. Randolph Automotive Technology Center and the philanthropy he shares with his wife, Lynda. The Randolphs are founding members of the Legacy Gifts program and recognized leaders on the GCC Donor Wall of Recognition.
A lifelong community leader and advocate, Dr. Randolph’s enduring impact reflects a career dedicated to putting students and opportunity first.
“It’s always rewarding to see how the Maricopa Foundation, in concert with college and community partners, provides the financial support that is so needed, and often critical for student success.”
Dr. Phillip D. Randolph, Foundation Donor
The Impact of Opportunity
Julie Augustine
Returning to college as a nontraditional student balancing life and parent responsibilities requires courage, persistence, and support. For Julie, that support made all the difference. During her fall semester at Phoenix College, unexpected financial challenges threatened to derail her progress. Emergency assistance funds from the Foundation provided timely relief, allowing her to stay enrolled and focused on her academic goals. In the semesters that followed, Julie continued earning scholarships awarded by Phoenix College, recognizing both her perseverance and academic commitment. Julie’s journey reflects the reality many students face: success is not always a straight path. With the right support at the right time, she was able to stay on track toward earning a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. Click to read more about Julie’s story.
FY 2024/2025 Financial Reports
Philanthropic Contributions
Grants totals for July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
Grants Submitted: 76
Grant Funds Requested:
$12,011,124
Grants Funds Awarded:
$10,022,239
Grants Funds Denied:
$1,941,400
Grant Funds Awaiting Decision:
$47,485
Notable Grant Awards
Helios Education
Foundation
$1.6M
Maricopa Promise, Title V Endowment, HSI EXCELlence Programs
The Burton Family Foundation
$1.78 M
Behavioral Sciences Bachelor’s Program and Basic Needs Support
Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation
$1M
CTE Programming
Arizona Venture Fund for Quality Education
$800K
Maricopa Promise
The Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation
$520,000
Licensed Practical Nursing program
Microsoft
$300,000
Maricopa Promise
JPMorgan Chase Foundation
$226,250
Rio Salado Incarcerated Reentry Program
SRP
$200,000
Maricopa Promise, EV Programs, and Greatest Needs Fund
*Amounts reported are based on Grant Award Letter
FY 2024-2025
Scholarships
*Scholarships awarded reflect the total number of scholarships given, not the number of students, as some students receive more than one award.
Scholarship Report by College
Total Scholarship Amount:
$ 4,123,811
Estrella Mountain Community College
Total:
$338,721
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Total:
$204,012
Glendale Community College
Total:
$498,302
Gateway Community College
Total:
$340,797
Mesa Community College
Total:
$1,170,118
Paradise Valley Community College
Total:
$248,411
Phoenix College
Total:
$ 624,184
Rio Salado College
Total:
$135,958
Scottsdale Community College
Total:
$332,517
South Mountain Community College
Total:
$ 196,790
Historical Scholarship Data
Total Awarded Over Last Three Fiscal Years
$11,789,213
- FY 2023
- FY 2024
- FY 2025
$4,123,811
- Total
$11,789,213
FY 2024-2025
Annual Emergency Funds
Historical Emergency Fund Support
Total Awarded Over Last Three Fiscal Years
$1,583,047
- FY 2023
$407,444
- FY 2024
$516,324
- FY 2025
$659,279
- Total
$1,583,047
