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The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation (the Foundation) is excited to announce the statewide expansion of ElevateEdAZ through the launch of their Southern Arizona Pilot Program.
(Pexels Photo)
ElevateEdAZ, an initiative of the Foundation provides students pathways to high-wage, high-demand careers by bridging the gap between education and workforce development. The strategic initiative is designed to elevate local business engagement and enhance the connection between education and industry, thereby cultivating a highly skilled and motivated pipeline of talent.
Building on the success of ElevateEdAZ, which currently serves 25 schools in Maricopa County, this pilot program aims to adapt the proven model to the unique needs of the Sahuarita community.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand ElevateEdAZ’s reach and foster new partnerships that will provide students with accelerated pathways and create a robust capacity-building consortium to support the community,” said Jennifer Mellor, chief innovation officer of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation.
“This collaboration will ultimately advance the Foundation’s mission of convening and catalyzing business, education, and the community to enhance college and career readiness, develop a stronger workforce, and build healthier communities throughout Arizona.”
In partnership with the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center (GVSC), the pilot program will connect students with internships, guest speakers, and career exploration opportunities. GVSC will lead efforts to ensure the program aligns with the local workforce’s needs, while ElevateEdAZ will oversee on-campus college and career coaching. This pilot program aims to increase dual enrollment, attainment of industry-recognized credentials, and access to work-based learning opportunities.
Serving over 6,300 students in Pima County, the Sahuarita Unified School District will serve as the education partner. ElevateEdAZ will work in both Walden Grove High School and Sahuarita High School, which have a combined enrollment of approximately 2,300 students. The GVSC is a not-for-profit business association that provides business connections to the local region.
“Bringing ElevateEdAZ to Sahuarita is more than just a new program—it’s a game changer for our entire community,” said Randy Graf, president & CEO of the GVSC.
“This is about building bridges between our schools and local businesses, giving our students real opportunities to explore careers right here at home. It’s a powerful example of what happens when education and industry roll up their sleeves and work together. I’m incredibly proud of our collaboration with the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber Foundation and the Sahuarita Unified School District in this effort. We’re not just preparing students for jobs—we’re investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and neighbors who will shape the future of Sahuarita and Green Valley.”
The Foundation will hire two college and career coaches and a regional director, while the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce Foundation will support the hiring of a Business Partnership Liaison during the pilot phase.
Goals of the ElevateEdAZ Pilot Program:
- Expand Career Pathways: Increase student enrollment and completion in high-wage, high-demand Career and Technical Education programs.
- Enhance Credentials and Credit: Support students in attaining industry-recognized credentials and earning early post-secondary credit.
- Connect Education to Industry: Provide students with real-world career experiences through work-based learning, including internships and job shadows.
- Strengthen Arizona’s Workforce: Build a robust state talent pipeline to attract and retain industries that create high-quality jobs.
- Encourage Collaboration: Foster partnerships among educators, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to drive systemic improvements.
- Empower Educators: Offer professional development opportunities, including externships, to equip educators with the tools to innovate and inspire.
Read more stories from the Phoenix Area on Signals A Z.com.
