A graduate wearing traditional Indigenous attire and a yellow “First Generation Celebration” stole sits outdoors in a desert landscape with red rock formations in the background. Overlay text reads: “From Graduation to Opportunity: Celebrating Arizona’s Class of 2026” alongside the Education Forward Arizona logo.

May 18, 2026

Celebrating Our Scholars: Class of 2026

Education Forward Arizona is proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 and the 120 students who earned degrees with support from our scholarship and postsecondary success programs. Their accomplishments represent persistence, talent, and the life-changing power of postsecondary education. They also reflect something bigger: a stronger future for Arizona.

This year’s graduates earned degrees and credentials across a wide range of fields, including healthcare, business, engineering and technology, education, the social sciences, and the arts. These pathways are critical to Arizona’s future workforce and economic competitiveness, helping meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. Whether they are serving patients, supporting students, advancing innovation, leading businesses, or strengthening communities, these graduates are prepared to make meaningful contributions across our state.

By the Numbers:

Degrees Earned

  • 6 students earning Associate of Arts degrees
  • 105 students earning bachelor’s degrees
  • 9 students earning master’s degrees

Student Support Pathways

Arizona Institutions

  • 43 graduating from Arizona State University
  • 23 graduating from Northern Arizona University
  • 17 graduating from University of Arizona
  • 5 graduating from Grand Canyon University

Graduates supported through the Freeport-McMoRan Native American Scholarship Program represent tribal communities across Arizona and the Southwest, including students from the Navajo Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Tohono O’odham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe and others. Their success highlights the importance of investing in pathways that increase access, provide support, and strengthen families, communities and local economies while expanding opportunity for future generations. 

As Education Forward Arizona marks its fifth anniversary, this year’s celebration carries even greater significance. Over the past five years, Education Forward Arizona has worked to expand access to education and training pathways that prepare Arizonans for success in a rapidly evolving economy. Expanding access to postsecondary education and training remains essential to helping Arizona reach its long-term attainment goals and meet workforce demand across the state. Through scholarships, student success support, statewide partnerships, and advocacy, we remain committed to helping more students access opportunity and succeed beyond high school.

Arizona’s future depends on a strong and prepared workforce. It depends on more students earning degrees, certificates, and credentials that lead to economic mobility and high-demand careers. Every graduate represents progress toward closing workforce gaps, strengthening communities, and advancing Arizona’s long-term attainment and economic goals.

To the Class of 2026: Congratulations!

Your hard work has opened new doors for yourselves and for Arizona. We are honored to celebrate your achievements and excited to see the impact you will make in Arizona’s communities, workforce, and future.

Student Highlights

Central Phoenix resident, Debby Suarez, is a first-generation college student. She’s earning a degree in speech and hearing science from Arizona State University, and plans to begin her master’s degree studies this fall. Debby loves working with special needs students and plans to become a speech-language pathologist specializing in students on the autism spectrum.

Michelle Cannon, whose family hails from the Navajo Nation, is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University. During her studies she served as a Level 6 Volunteer Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line and as a Lead Helping Hands Intern at Native Health (among other things!). This fall, she’ll begin her Master of Social Work (MSW) program so that she can become a therapist. 

Luis Ayala, from Ash Fork, is graduating from Northern Arizona University a year early with his degree in Construction Management. He has grown immensely during his time at the university and participated in the Construction Management club on campus. He did so well during a summer internship that he already has a job offer to be an associate project engineer.