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Heroes of Education to be Honored During Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Virtual Event

News February 9, 2021
2020 2021 Honorees News

(February 9, 2021) Tempe, AZ – The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF) is pleased to announce that it will be holding a 2020/2021 virtual Heroes of Education event April 7, 2021 honoring 2020 Heroes David Adame, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. and State Farm® as well as 2021 Heroes Nita and Phil Francis and Salt River Project (SRP).  This award, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is given to champions of education in Arizona and recognizes those who have a proven personal and professional commitment to supporting students and educational opportunities. This is the first time that both individuals and corporations have been recognized and that two years have been combined. The event will be held on a virtual platform, managed and provided in-kind by SRP.

Adame, leads the largest nonprofit community development organization in the Southwest and the third largest Hispanic community development corporation in the country, and is being honored for his longtime commitment to education and empowering students.  State Farm will be recognized for their continued commitment to developing the workforce of the future through employee development programs and philanthropic support of education programs. Their passion for serving customers and giving back to communities is demonstrated across the Maricopa Community Colleges District.  Nita and Phil Francis are champions and leaders in the community for improving education systems at every level from early childhood to post-secondary education. SRP, a community-based, not-for-profit utility, has been a business champion by improving education platforms and providing significant support to the Maricopa Community Colleges, the Foundation and students.

A Heroes of Education Recognition Dinner Committee has been formed and includes Chair Julie Rees, Secretary, MCCF Board of Directors, Triadvocates Public Affairs and Honorary Chairs, Deborah Carstens, Principal, Carstens Family Funds and Paul Luna, Present and CEO, Helios Education Foundation.

“We are extremely honored to have David, Nita and Phil, State Farm and SRP as our honorees,” said Brian Spicker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. “Their passion for making postsecondary education accessible and affordable, has provided so many students the opportunity to transform their lives, paving the way for the Maricopa Community Colleges to become even more of an important resource for our entire community.”

Additionally, 10 College Heroes will be honored virtually during the evening, representing each of the Maricopa Community Colleges.

Sponsorships are key to the success of Heroes of Education and the Foundation thanks Platinum Sponsor SRP, Gold Sponsors, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and State Farm and Silver Sponsor, Helios Education Foundation. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available and can be found at https://mcccdf.org/heroes2021.

For more information about the event and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, contact Judy Sanchez, Chief Development Officer at 480.731.8739.