The Arizona GEAR UP team proudly represented our state at the 2025 NCCEP/GEAR UP National Conference in San Francisco, bringing our expertise and the voices of our alumni to the national stage. This year, we were joined by two outstanding alumni: Lizeth Carreon, a graduate of Amphitheater High School now attending Arizona State University, and Lilliana Minor, a graduate of Coronado High School also attending ASU. Their perspectives brought depth and authenticity to our session, reminding everyone why the work we do matters.
The Arizona GEAR UP Team helped lead three engaging sessions:
Harnessing Evaluation Designs for Program Improvement
Our Assistant Director, Andrea González Sotelo, alongside our partners at ICF, shared how participatory evaluation strengthens research and program impact, focusing on the link between teacher expectations, college-going culture, Senior Launch Guide use, and postsecondary enrollment.
Successfully Guiding Students Towards Their Postsecondary Destinations
Daniel Pulu and Denise El Habach discussed the development and success of the Senior Launch Guide, a tool designed to help students navigate their senior year and postsecondary planning.
All In on Alumni: Building a GEAR UP Alumni Community
Partnering with Vermont GEAR UP, Arizona GEAR UP’s Hector Ponce highlighted strategies for creating and sustaining thriving alumni networks. Lizeth and Lilliana’s participation demonstrated the value of continued alumni engagement, serving as an example of how graduates can inspire current students and remain connected.
Reflecting on her experience, Lizeth said:
“Going to the conference was such a cool opportunity. I loved meeting people from different GEAR UP chapters, hearing about their challenges, and sharing ideas. It was eye-opening to see how much support students across the country have, just like I did. And honestly, getting to be part of a presentation with our team was such a highlight.”
Lilliana shared a similar sentiment about the impact of the experience:
“My time with GEAR UP has been incredibly valuable since the beginning. The people I’ve spent time with are super kind and supportive, and have shown me that positive, non-toxic work environments do exist. The conference in San Francisco changed my attitude about my future. I’ve always been hopeful that I’d find my place after college, but my experience at the conference solidified that feeling. This is because I got to meet people who were passionate about their job and happy with what they were doing. I’m very excited for the future of GUAC and for the people who will benefit from it.”
From sharing best practices to celebrating the voices of our alumni, Arizona GEAR UP’s presence at the conference reflected our mission: ensuring students from underserved communities have the tools, resources, and support to succeed not just in high school, but far beyond.
