Sahuarita, AZ — The Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce  (GVSC), in partnership with the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation and the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber Foundation, is proud to announce the launch of the Southern Arizona Pilot Program for ElevateEdAZ, a statewide initiative designed to connect students with pathways to high-wage, high-demand careers.

The program, already serving 25 schools in Maricopa County, will now expand its proven education-to-workforce model to meet the unique needs of the Sahuarita community. Through this pilot, students in Sahuarita Unified School District will gain increased access to internships, industry guest speakers, career exploration, and dual enrollment opportunities, all while ensuring alignment with the needs of our local economy.

“Bringing ElevateEdAZ to Sahuarita is more than just a new program, it’s a game changer for our entire community,” said Randy Graf, President & CEO of the GVSC. “This is about building bridges between our schools and local businesses, giving our students real opportunities to explore careers right here at home. We’re not just preparing students for jobs, we’re investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and neighbors who will shape the future of Sahuarita and Green Valley.”

The pilot will launch at Walden Grove High School and Sahuarita High School, serving approximately 2,300 students. ElevateEdAZ will provide on-campus college and career coaching, while GVSC will lead business engagement and partnerships to ensure the program reflects the realities and opportunities of the Southern Arizona workforce.

The initiative is designed to:

• Expand Career Pathways: Increase student participation in high-wage, high-demand Career and Technical Education programs.
• Enhance Credentials and Credit: Help students earn industry-recognized credentials and early post-secondary credit.
• Connect Education to Industry: Create real-world learning through internships, job shadows, and work-based experiences.
• Strengthen Arizona’s Workforce: Build a robust talent pipeline that attracts and retains industries offering high-quality jobs.
• Foster Collaboration: Unite educators, business leaders, and community stakeholders for long-term economic impact.
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The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation will hire two college and career coaches and a regional director to lead the pilot, while the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber Foundation will fund a Business Partnership Liaison to strengthen local business connections.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand ElevateEdAZ’s reach and foster new partnerships that will provide students with accelerated pathways and create a robust capacity-building consortium to support the community,” said Jennifer Mellor, Chief Innovation Officer of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation.

This program is not just an investment in students, it’s an investment in the future of Southern Arizona. When we open doors for our young people, we strengthen our businesses, grow our economy, and create a community where talent stays, thrives, and leads.

We’re calling on local businesses, community leaders, and industry partners to get involved. Whether you can offer an internship, speak in a classroom, mentor a student, or simply open your doors for a career tour, you have the power to make a lasting difference.

The future workforce of Sahuarita and Green Valley is sitting in our classrooms right now. Let’s show them what’s possible.

About the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

The Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit business association representing the interests of its membership through advocacy and by providing networking and business resources. Learn more at greenvalleysahuarita.com.

About the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber Foundation

The Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals, groups, businesses, and schools in advancing education and economic development in the Sahuarita and Green Valley communities.

About ElevateEdAZ

An initiative of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, ElevateEdAZ aligns education, business, and community to prepare individuals for college and career success through high-quality learning pathways, industry credentials, and work-based learning opportunities. Learn more at elevateedaz.com.