Support Arizona’s Future on NAU Giving Day!
NAU Giving Day is a powerful opportunity to invest in the future of education. By donating to a College of Education fund of your choice, you can help support students, educators, and programs that shape the next generation.
Graduate Student Scholarships
Nearly 50% of COE students are enrolled in graduate programs, and we take pride in the fact that more than half of NAU’s research doctorates come from our college—contributing to NAU’s prestigious Carnegie R1 status. Graduate education drives innovation, leadership, and the advancement of knowledge in education and beyond. Our graduate students go on to become educators, researchers, and policymakers, shaping the future of the field.
With uncertainties in grant funding and other financial resources, we are prioritizing scholarships and research funding for our doctoral and master’s students. Across our five doctoral programs spanning six departments, we are committed to fostering a strong, research-driven academic community. Your support on NAU Giving Day ensures our graduate students have the resources they need to thrive and make a lasting impact. Thank you for investing in their future—and in the future of education.
You can support graduate students by contributing to the COE Student Scholarship Fund (4055) or specific departmental funds.
COE Scholarship Recipients
Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Arizona Schools
The teacher retention crisis disproportionately affects rural, Native American communities. In response, NAU launched Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Arizona Schools (PITAS) in 2022—a culturally responsive program that supports paraprofessionals and educational assistants in Native-serving schools as they earn their degree with elementary certification, all while remaining in their home communities and continuing to serve their local schools.
In addition to online and Zoom classes during the school year, PITAS students gain hands-on experience each summer by leading Camp IndiGenius, a free summer camp for approximately 50 Native American children in the Flagstaff area through a partnership with Flagstaff Unified School District.
The "grow your own" model of PITAS is highly effective in addressing teacher shortages in hard-to-staff Native-serving communities. With an impressive 90% graduation rate among our first two cohorts, we are prioritizing funding to ensure this successful model continues. Your support on NAU Giving Day will help us welcome new PITAS cohorts each fall and sustain Camp IndiGenius each summer.
You can support PITAS by contributing to the COE Fund (5779).
Support Educators and Young Children
NAU has long been recognized as a leader in education, and the College of Education remains dedicated to preparing compassionate, skilled professionals who make a difference in classrooms, behavioral health services, and communities.
One way to support this mission is by donating to the Early Learning Development Center (ELDC), now located on NAU’s Flagstaff Mountain Campus. The ELDC provides high-quality early childhood education for children ages 2–5, fostering intellectual growth, social-emotional development, and physical well-being. Your generosity helps us continue offering these vital services to children and families.
You can support the ELDC by contributing to the COE Fund (5689).
Thank you for making a difference on NAU Giving Day! WE are COE! We are Lumberjacks!
