Happy 4th of July!
Enjoy Summer’s premier celebration!
Let’s continue to unlock brilliance together for deserving underrepresented youth.
Donor Impact: Cool Ways to Keep College Dreams Hot This Summer
While students enjoy their summer break, college prep continues at RISE Scholars through donor gifts. Your generosity empowers the next generation!
- New 2026 Scholarship. Thank you to Doug and Sandy Larson, who donated a $1,000 scholarship for students pursuing a career in veterinary science! Life-long dog owners, they jumped at the chance to extend their passion to the next generation.
- Emergency Grant Fund. Andrea and Ed Piering’s generous gift helps remove barriers to education with grants to address greatest needs and keep students in school.
Hoops for Hope Gala Sponsorships Available
The October 18, 2025 Hoops for Hope Gala is shaping up to be not just memorable but extraordinary as we celebrate the Harvard University graduation of Kylie Hunts-in-Winter and her Native American heritage. Included are dynamic live performances of Dakota/Lakota dances and music. Thank you, Eve Pet Hospital and Moses SEO, for being committed to Equity through Education! Hoops for Hope Gala sponsorships can be found on our website.
Student Spotlight
Sirin Halloum graduated ASU in May 2024 in Applied Biological Sciences. Her dream has been to become a dentist. Recently, she reached back to share she’s been accepted into Roseman University of Health Sciences in South Jordan, UT. For Sirin, classes started on June 13, 2025. Sirin’s brother, Anis, was a RISE Scholar one year after Sirin. After graduating ASU, he’s been accepted into the University of Arizona’s Pathway Scholars Program designed for first-generation college attendees going on to medical school.
Sirin expressed sincere thanks for the support she received from RISE Scholars. “Our mom is so happy. We are all so grateful!” Sirin, you and Anis are on your way through hard work and dedicated focus. Well done!
Meaningful Summer Activities
Colleges and scholarship organizations look for students who pursue meaningful summer activities to advance their skills and develop character. For students, it’s a way to build your resume! Consider summer learning programs, jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities.
2023 RISE Scholar Citlaly Loza Albarran wants to be a lawyer. She did an internship with the Maricopa County Public Defenders Office.
A few examples:
- City of Mesa: Offers a variety of internships, including opportunities in the Parks and Rec Department and Police Department.
- Arizona State University (ASU): While not a single program, ASU’s Pre-Health Advising lists several pre-health focused summer programs in the Phoenix area like the Barrow Neurological Institute Summer Undergraduate Internship Programs and Mayo Clinic SURF Program.
- Southwest Behavioral & Health Services: Offers unpaid internships for students whose degree programs require it, with opportunities in various locations including the Phoenix Metro area.
- Gray Media (KPHO/KTVK): Has a paid internship program for college students interested in broadcast media, including opportunities in news, production, sales, and more.
- AZ HOSA: High school student internships at TGen, Mayo Clinic and more.
