Elevate the College of Education
Elevate Future Educators!

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.

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 Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Arizona Schools (PITAS) fund.


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  Early Learning Childhood Center Fund 

Thank you for making a difference on NAU Giving Day! WE are COE! We are Lumberjacks!

Give Early
Power the Next Generation: College of Education Challenge
$66,000
Power the Next Generation: College of Education Challenge
Maximize your impact on the College of Education and unlock additional funding for the college. Once 75 gifts are made to any College of Education funds, we will release a generous gift of $66,000 from NAU alumnus Steve Sanghi to the Sanghi Family CSTL Robotics Professional Development Fund. Every gift counts—join us in making a difference! #WeAreLumberjacks
16 / 75 Gifts
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True Blue: NAU Alumni Association Board
$11,750
True Blue: NAU Alumni Association Board
Help us start off the day with our first milestone and show the Lumberjack community we are True Blue! When we reach 125 alumni gifts of $125 or more on #NAUGivingDay the following NAU Alumni Association Board members will release a collective $11,750 in gifts. Thank you to: Blaise Caudill ’13; Dave Cook; Trina George, ’09; Alex Gutierrez, '85 '90; Jana Harper, ’90; Veronica Hipolito, '97, '02; Jim Jayne, ’91; "Kari" Kent, '91; Rick Koch, ’72; Mary O'Driscoll, ’82; Nancy Serenbetz, '75; Maggie Thom, ’12; , Wayne Watson, ’84; and (3) anonymous members. Go Jacks!
6 / 125 Gifts
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Lumberjack Pride: NAU Foundation Board Challenge
$25,000
Lumberjack Pride: NAU Foundation Board Challenge
Join the NAU Foundation board and show your pride with a gift to support this challenge on #NAUGivingDay. The following NAU Foundation Board members have committed to a collective impact totaling $25,000, which will be released when 125 first time donors make a gift. Thank you to: Lisa Bagwell; Eric Baker; Teresa Bartels; Bob Bement; Bob Braudy; Robin Braun; Booker Evans; Victoria Fimea; Bill Heibel; Mary Huntley; Tim Kinney; Any Peña; Rick Rodriguez; Katrina Rogers; Steve Sanghi; Tony Tewelis; and (1) anonymous member. WE Are Lumberjacks!
95 / 125 Gifts
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Or you can contact us at givingday@nau.edu.

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Help us unlock a $66,000 reward!