Center for the Future of Arizona

The Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy is off to a productive start. Earlier this month, 18 Fellows gathered for the Opening Retreat at Pima Community College, kicking off the next few months of collaboration and changemaking. CFA’s Ian Dowdy, AICP, MBA joined the retreat to share data from the Arizona Progress Meters. Thank you to Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker, Ph.D. from Diamond Strategies, Vice Chancellor Dr. Ian Roark from Pima Community College, Dan Sullivan from Pima County, Susan Hyatt Dumon from Sun Corridor Inc., Michael Guymon from the Tucson Metro Chamber, and Oleg Shvetz from the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity for providing the Fellows with context about the current workforce landscape. When we come together with shared passion to solve common challenges, we can achieve great things. Stay tuned for the latest on the Academy and how the Fellows are working toward workforce transformation in Southern Arizona.

Arizonans agree: Health and well-being are key to our future. For nearly two decades, CFA’s research has shown that across communities and backgrounds, Arizonans prioritize access to quality healthcare and overall well-being as essential to a thriving state. Shared Public Values aren’t just priorities for today, they are lasting aspirations for the future. See what Arizonans continue to champion and the actions they support to move them forward: bit.ly/3G8UIg7 

Say hello 👋 to five more of our Academy Fellows!   💡 Merrill Kemp-Wilcox, Director, Research & Development, Pima JTED, Pima County  💡 Annie Kurtin, Sr. Associate Director, Integrated Learning Partnerships, University of Arizona, Pima County  💡 Greg Lucero, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District, Santa Cruz County  💡 Mariana Martinez Reynoso, CTE Director, Work-Based Learning, Yuma Union High School District, Yuma County  💡 Kelle Maslyn, Assistant Director, Strategic Affairs, Pima County Economic Development, Pima County    Want to learn more about these workforce leaders? Check out their bios: https://bit.ly/3AjGXMr  

CFA’s Arizona Pathways to Prosperity team has been tackling the gap between Arizona high school students’ aspirations and postsecondary outcomes—ensuring more students can access high-demand careers in STEM.    Last month, Senior Program Manager Mel Baca and Western Maricopa County Project Manager for College and Career Pathways Erin McGehean brought their expertise to convenings in Washington, D.C., and South Padre Island, TX, joining other leaders working to improve educational outcomes at the national and state levels.     Attendees left with data-informed, action-oriented frameworks to increase student awareness, interest, participation, and persistence in dual enrollment and computer science/cybersecurity educational and career pathways.    Stay tuned for more findings that will shape best practices in Arizona and beyond! Learn more: https://bit.ly/3FG085i  

Arizonans overwhelmingly agree: good jobs and economic opportunity are essential to our future. Across backgrounds and political affiliations, people want more career pathways, better wages, and access to education and training that help them thrive. This broad agreement is a powerful foundation for action. CFA’s extensive research shows that Arizonans share this priority and actions to move our state forward. Explore Arizona’s seven Shared Public Values: bit.ly/3G8UIg7 

What matters more to Arizona voters: faster results or convenience? As debates over ballot drop-offs and voting reforms continue, new survey findings illuminate what voters actually want. In The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com | La Voz, CFA Chair, Pres. & CEO Sybil Francis shares what these findings mean for Arizona’s future:  https://bit.ly/421xItW

Introductions are in order! We’re pleased to introduce five of the 18 Fellows of our 2025 Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy. 💡 Adam Begody, Director, Corporate Engagement, Earn to Learn, Pima County  💡 Missy Blair, Academic Director, Pima Community College, Pima County  💡 Dr. John DeLalla, Continuing Education Program Director, University of Arizona, Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Yuma Counties  💡 Amber Folkman, Director, Implementation, Pipeline AZ, Pima County  💡 Rocio Kary, Workforce Strategist/ TA Advisor, Raytheon, Pima County    Tune in over the next few weeks to meet these changemakers. And if you just can’t wait to meet them, you can learn about them on our website now! https://bit.ly/3AjGXMr     This is the second Workforce Leadership Academy in Southern Arizona & is made possible in part by the support of South32.

In partnership with the Center for the Future of Arizona, we have released the latest Arizona Education Progress Meter data, tracking our progress toward the Achieve60AZ goal. A 1% increase in postsecondary attainment means 30,000 more degrees, certificates, and licenses for Arizonans—leading to stronger communities and a more prosperous state. But to fully realize the economic potential of education, we need 500,000 more credentials to reach our goal. Through our Everything to Gain campaign, we’re working to accelerate higher education and training opportunities statewide. Together, we can unlock billions in social and economic impact. See the latest data: http://bit.ly/3DnEyBR

Civil discourse is key to working together as a community to tackle challenges and strengthen civic health. Wishing the best of luck to all this year’s Arizona Board of Regents' Cup participants!

🎉Shout out to John Winchester, MPA and Erica Yngve on being named 2025 Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy Fellows! 🎉 As Flinn-Brown Fellows, they have already demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to Arizona’s future. Their continued dedication to workforce development will surely make a lasting impact during their time with the Center for the Future of Arizona. 👏 #FlinnBrown #SouthernArizona #Arizonaleadership #Civicengagement