GCU scholarship program aims to bring graduates back as teachers at local schools

PHOENIX — Grand Canyon University’s RISE 360 scholarship program helps local high school graduates fast-track their teaching degrees and return to their communities as educators.

Launched last year, the program awarded full scholarships to 12 students from Buckeye Union, Phoenix Union and Scottsdale Unified school districts. Participants design a flexible schedule to earn an education degree in under three years.

Jackson Blizzard, a recent Youngker High School graduate in Buckeye, is one of the recipients.

He told KTAR News 92.3 FM that his teachers inspired him to pursue education, but financial barriers kept him from attending GCU — until RISE 360 made it possible.

“I hope to be a teacher that students come and talk to because I needed that when I was younger,” Blizzard said. “I want to be that teacher that students can go and talk to if they have any sort of trouble.”

Impact of Grand Canyon University scholarship program

Blizzard participated in early education programs in his high school alongside other RISE 360 recipients.

Meredith Critchfield, dean of GCU’s College of Education, said the university’s goal is to help fill Arizona’s teacher shortage and help the school districts retain educators.

“The more you can help somebody that might want to become a teacher, get into the field, learn more about the field early and often, the more likely they’ll be able to join the field and ultimately stay in the field,” Critchfield said.

There are plans to expand the program, both with school districts and participating students.

“Ultimately, they go back. RISE 360, right? They go 360 (degrees) right back to the community that they came from, the community that they love and want to serve and support to become a full-time teacher,” Critchfield explained.

Buckeye Union Superintendent Steve Bebee called RISE 360 “one of the most amazing programs I’ve experienced in my 30-plus years in education.”

He said students who return to teach do so because they love their community and want to give back.

“I think when you bring somebody back to a campus who’s once walked those halls as a student, it brings a completely different perspective for the students, you know, when you once had walked in their very shoes on that campus,” Bebee said.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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