New initiative bridges local education and business to prepare students for high-demand careers

Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce Launches ElevateEdAZ Southern Arizona Pilot Program

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.

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.

Back-to-School: Southwest Gas Partners with Schools, Colleges, and Nonprofits to Open Doors for the Next Generation

September 9, 2026
Programs help students build skills, explore careers, and prepare for the future PHOENIX — Across Southwest Gas’ service territory in Arizona, the company and the Southwest Gas Foundation are partnering with schools, colleges, and nonprofit organizations to support students through essential resources, hands-on learning, safety education, mentorship, scholarships, and career training. “Our employees live and work in the communities we serve, so supporting local schools and programs is personal to us,” said Justin Brown, President and CEO of Southwest Gas. “By working alongside trusted partners, we can help students feel better prepared, explore their interests, and see greater possibilities for their future.” Programs and partnerships across Southwest Gas’ service territory in Arizona include: · Arizona Educational Foundation’s (AEF) teachSTEM Program Since 2024, the Southwest Gas Foundation has supported the AEF’s teachSTEM program. The program provides educators with hands-on STEM training, resources, and mentorship, while inspiring students to explore and pursue STEM careers. The program has reached more than 5,000 students, 78% of whom attend Title I schools. · Energy Safe Kids with the National Energy Foundation (NEF) For nearly 30 years, Southwest Gas has partnered with the NEF to promote energy education and safety awareness in schools. Through the Energy Safe Kids program, elementary and middle school teachers receive curriculum that helps students recognize and respond to a suspected natural gas leak, identify natural gas appliances and pipeline markers, and understand the importance of calling 811 before digging. Last year, 130 schools throughout Southwest Gas’ service territory used the program. · Girls in STEM at the Arizona Science Center The Southwest Gas Foundation has supported the Arizona Science Center’s Girls in STEM program since 2021. This initiative introduces girls in grades 4-8 to science and engineering through hands-on activities and mentorship. These experiences help students explore STEM concepts and envision careers in the field. · Natural Gas Program at Estrella Mountain Community College Southwest Gas partners with Estrella Mountain Community College on a hands-on Natural Gas Program that introduces students to careers in the utility and construction industries. Courses taught by current Southwest Gas employees provide experience with tools and safety practices used in the field. · Share the Spirit Shoes for Kids With the support of a $5,000 contribution from the Southwest Gas Foundation, Southwest Gas employees partnered with the Share the Spirit Foundation to provide 90 students from Title I schools with new shoes and socks during the Shoes for Kids event on August 28. As part of the Company’s volunteer program BLUE (Building Lives Up Everywhere), Southwest Gas employees served as personal shoppers, helping the students select new shoes that fit comfortably and help boost their confidence as they begin the school year. · Summer Internship Program Southwest Gas offers a paid Summer Internship Program for currently enrolled college and university students across the U.S. The 10-week program offers hands-on experience and professional development opportunities across a variety of business functions. Applications are open from January through April, with the program starting in June. Last year, more than 2,900 students from across the country applied for the internship program. Together, these collaborative efforts help open doors for opportunity and reflect Southwest Gas’ long-standing commitment to enriching lives and strengthening communities. For more information about Southwest Gas and its community partnerships, visit www.swgas.com/community. About Southwest Gas Southwest Gas Corporation is a dynamic energy company committed to exceeding the expectations of our over two million customers throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada by providing safe, reliable, and affordable service while pursuing innovative sustainable energy solutions to fuel the growth in its communities. For more information about how Southwest Gas is supporting a sustainable energy future, please visit www.swgas.com. About The Southwest Gas Foundation The Southwest Gas Foundation has spent six decades partnering with 501(c)(3) organizations to open doors of opportunities, provide support in times of need, and create a legacy of impact that benefits generations to come. Funded by shareholders, the Foundation is committed to enriching lives and strengthening communities. For more information, please visit www.swgas.com/community.
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