Three Arizona State University Alumni Unite to Lead
College Bound AZ’s Next Chapter

Shared commitment and shared alma mater position College Bound AZ for continued growth
after helping Arizona students secure nearly $70 million in scholarships and financial aid.

MESA, Ariz. (August 11, 2026) –

Three Arizona State University graduates are working together to ensure College Bound AZ enters its next chapter stronger than ever. Newly elected Board President Tim Palmer, Immediate Past Board President and current Director Caden Gillespie, and Founder and Executive Director Elizabeth Paulus share more than their alma mater—they share a commitment to preserving the organization’s momentum as Paulus prepares to retire in October. Their collaborative leadership reflects the very mission College Bound AZ has championed since 2010: that higher education transforms lives and prepares tomorrow’s leaders.

Each year, College Bound AZ walks alongside students, many the first in their families to pursue higher education, helping them navigate a path that too often feels out of reach. This next chapter positions the organization to serve even more students pursuing college and career across Arizona.

Succeeding Gillespie as Board President is Tim Palmer, CEO of Maxify Marketing and GoodLife Pizza Company, who brings a strong background in executive leadership, innovation, and organizational growth. “Education is the single most powerful lever we have to change the trajectory of a young person’s life. I’m honored to step into this role and help ensure that even more young people have someone walking alongside them as they pursue their future.”

Founder and Executive Director Elizabeth Paulus, who established College Bound AZ in 2010, has announced her intention to retire in October 2026. Over the past 15+ years, largely as a volunteer leader, Paulus has built the organization into one of Arizona’s most successful first- generation college access programs. “People often ask what I’m most proud of,” remarked Paulus. “It isn’t the scholarships or the numbers. It’s watching students become leaders who return to lift the next generation. That’s how a mission endures.”

Immediate Past Board President Gillespie is a native-born Arizonan and passionate advocate for education. He has earned four degrees from Arizona State University and is currently pursuing a fifth, demonstrating his commitment to lifelong learning. “When we invest in a student’s education, we don’t just change one life, we elevate families, strengthen communities, and shape
the future of our state.”

That impact has not gone unnoticed by higher education leaders across Arizona. Candice Copple, Associate Vice President of Educational Outreach and Student Services at Arizona State University, shared her support for the organization’s mission: “College Bound AZ is an essential partner in advancing educational access and student success across Arizona. Their work reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has a clear and supported pathway to higher education.”

The leadership transition reflects College Bound AZ’s long-standing partnership with Arizona State University and the organization’s shared commitment to expanding educational opportunity for Arizona students.