Arizona GEAR UP aligns with Achieve60AZ goals to help ensure that by 2030, 60% of Arizona adults will hold a postsecondary credential or degree. To that end, we identified 41 under-served high schools across the state to provide targeted services to seniors. As we come together, Arizona seniors will soar to success.
Arizona GEAR UP refers to these 41 schools as our A60 schools. Our Senior Services Manager Daniel Pulu coordinates services from the state office. Thanks to the Helios Education Foundation, every high school senior in the A60 schools receives a Senior Launch Guide, which provides specific how-to guidance to achieve real-world success in college or career training and beyond.
Daniel trains school administrators, counselors, and teachers so they can get the most out of the Senior Launch Guide with their seniors. In the coming months, Arizona GEAR UP will also produce Senior Launch Guide training videos for students, which will hone in on specific topics such as filling out the FAFSA and applying to college.
Additionally, Be a Leader Foundation (BALF) is one of several AZGU partners in the Achieve60AZ initiative to increase the numbers of students who obtain a postsecondary degree or credential. They work with students by empowering them with leadership skills, mentorship, and the tools they need to succeed in higher education and beyond.
In order to reach even more students, Be a Leader Foundation hired Socorro Chaidez Ramos as the new Postsecondary Transition Analyst. In her role, Socorro will provide services and resources to target schools that will assist with FAFSA completion and submission goals, the college application process, postsecondary enrollment goals, and other senior goals and strategies.
If you know an Arizona senior who needs a little help with postsecondary planning, contact Arizona GEAR UP to learn what resources may be available through their school or Arizona GEAR UP.