Hundreds of West Valley students could gain new access to college thanks to a $300,000 funding boost for the Maricopa Promise Program, which helps low- to moderate-income residents pay for community college and complete their degrees.
The funding, announced Monday at Estrella Mountain Community College, will provide scholarships and support services for students living in El Mirage and Goodyear, two of the fastest-growing cities in the region.
The donation comes from Microsoft as part of a partnership with the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and the Maricopa County Community College District.
The Promise Program offers $600 per semester for up to four semesters, along with mentoring, job assistance, and academic guidance aimed at helping students stay enrolled and graduate. Many recipients are the first in their families to attend college.
“Programs like this give students stability,” said Dr. Tiffany Hernandez, president of Glendale Community College. “They make it possible to focus on school instead of juggling multiple jobs or worrying about how to pay tuition.”
At Monday’s event, leaders from Estrella Mountain and Glendale community colleges said the program’s expansion reflects a growing need for affordable education options in the West Valley, where rising housing costs and limited public transit often create barriers for students.
Armando Villegas, chair-elect of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Board, said the Promise Program represents more than a scholarship.
“It’s about wraparound support,” he said. “We’re not just giving students money, we’re helping them find jobs, build resumes, and connect to resources that help them succeed.”
El Mirage Mayor Alexis Hermosillo said the initiative aligns with her city’s longterm workforce goals.
“Providing our young adults with a pathway to education and stable careers is one of the most rewarding benefits of having partners invested in our community,” she said.
While Microsoft provided the latest round of funding, officials emphasized that the Maricopa Promise Program is a locally driven effort designed to help students from underrepresented backgrounds overcome the financial and logistical hurdles that often prevent them from finishing college.
The Maricopa Promise Program helps eligible low- to moderate-income students in Maricopa County attend one of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District.
Students can receive $600 per semester for up to four semesters to help cover costs such as tuition, books, or transportation. The program also provides support services, academic advising, mentoring, career planning, and community resource referrals, to help students persist through graduation.
The program prioritizes first-generation and underrepresented students and aims to create pathways into high-demand fields like technology, healthcare, and business.
For residents of El Mirage and Goodyear, the program is available through Estrella Mountain Community College and Glendale Community College.
Microsoft’s $300,000 donation builds on a yearslong partnership with Maricopa Community Colleges.
In 2018, the company helped launch the Microsoft Data Center Academy at Estrella Mountain and Glendale Community Colleges, providing students with hands-on technology training and industry-recognized certifications.
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” said Jonathan Noble, Microsoft’s senior director of government affairs. “Our goal is to help bridge that gap by supporting programs that expand access to education and prepare students for the jobs of the future.”
The company operates data centers in El Mirage and Goodyear.
For more information about the Maricopa Promise Program, visit mcccdf.org.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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