ASU Honors Black History Month with Community Events

« Back  |  February 27, 2023 - ASU Prep Digital

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Black people in U.S. history. We can celebrate Black History Month in many ways, like attending events in our community, supporting black-owned businesses, and reading books written by black authors. Here is a sampling of Black History Month events hosted by our ASU community:

 I, Too, Sing America Black History Month Film Festival

A Black History Month film festival hosted by The Baháʼís of Scottsdale.

 Community Activists-Take Charge-Mothers and Other People

An event hosted both virtually and in the Student Pavilion at the Tempe ASU campus where participants will learn the rich history of African American women in Arizona and place them in the larger context and tradition of Black women who serve as activists throughout the African Diaspora. During the event, Dr. Akua Duku Anokye will discuss her book, Black Woman Rising: African American Community Mother Activists of Phoenix.

 Space2Inspire Weekend

Join us to witness the unveiling of a giant Black History Month inspired art mosaic on the field of Sun Devil Stadium that will be photographed from a satellite in outer space! This weekend will feature special events that honor and recognize two notable ASU graduates: Ed Dwight, the first black American astronaut candidate and Sian Proctor, SpaceX astronaut, the fourth black woman in space and the first black woman Mission Pilot during the first civilian mission to orbit on Inspiration4.

 Movies on the Field: Black Panther Wakanda Forever

Bring a blanket and sit on the grass to enjoy Wakanda Forever under the stars. This event includes a panel on Afrofuturism before the movie!

Wonderspaces Virtual Reality Film Series—’Traveling While Black’

Wonderspaces are partnering with the School of Arts, Media and Engineering to launch a monthly Virtual Reality (VR) Film Series featuring a new celebrated VR film every month for one weekend only on the ASU Tempe campus. “Traveling While Black” is a documentary-style virtual reality film that immerses the viewer in the long history of restriction of movement for Black Americans, confronting the way we understand and talk about race in America. Each visit runs for approximately 50 minutes, and showtimes start on the hour from noon to 7 p.m. during exhibition weekends.

Forbes names ASU one of Best Large Employers in US

« Back  |  February 22, 2023 - ASU Prep Digital

Originally published on ASUNews

February 15, 2023

On Feb. 15, Forbes listed Arizona State University as one of America’s Best Large Employers for 2023.

In partnership with Statista, a global provider of rankings and large-scale polling, Forbes surveyed approximately 45,000 U.S. employees at companies with more than 1,000 workers.

Five hundred U.S. employers across 25 industry sectors were recognized and evaluated based on respondents’ willingness to recommend their employer to friends and family.

Michael G. Latsko, ASU’s vice president and chief human resources officer, said the Best Large Employer title reinforces ASU’s reputation as a company that provides excellent employment opportunities on a national level.

“This honor, especially because it results from employee feedback, is a meaningful testament to ASU’s position as a national destination for top talent,” Latsko said.

“At ASU, we are focused on nurturing our unique, inclusive culture of belonging where employees feel valued, can thrive in their careers and support genuine societal impact. Our culture and people make ASU one of the best places to work in higher education and the country.”

ASU was also named one of America’s Best Employers By State for 2022 by Forbes in August.

Forbes and Statista collected direct recommendations from employees as well as indirect recommendations from workers in the industry. Since the employee experience can vary greatly depending on an organization’s size and the individual worker, the final list ranks the 500 large employers that received the most recommendations. Beginning in 2015 with America’s Best Employers, Forbes and Statista have since expanded the coverage to include those employers considered best for diversity, women and new graduates.

ASU Prep Academy South Phoenix Celebrates Día De Los Muertos with Community

« Back  |  February 17, 2023 - ASU Prep Academy

In celebration of Día De Los Muertos, ASU Prep South Phoenix hosted a free community-wide event on November 4.

Día De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to gather to remember and celebrate the lives of family and friends who have passed on. It is believed that on this day the souls of the dead awaken and return to the living to reconnect with their loved ones for a celebration.

ASU Prep South Phoenix invited families to celebrate the Day of the Dead holiday with them at the school’s 7-12 campus. Guests enjoyed interactive sugar skull and paper flower arts and craft stations, face painting, authentic Mexican food, a live Mariachi band, folklorico dancers, as well as guided tours of the campus. Students also showcased their projects and were excited to see how the community came together.

For more information on ASU Prep and the communities it serves, visit asuprep.asu.edu.

ASU Preparatory Academy South Phoenix Art Inspires Students

« Back  |  November 14, 2022 - ASU Prep Digital

ASU Preparatory Academy South Phoenix students returned from fall break to find some unexpected inspiration on campus—new artistic murals of diverse and notable figures. The murals include Maya Angelou, Dolores Huerta, Frida Kahlo, Nelson Mandela, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Principal Patrick Gibbs said they installed the beautiful art celebrating different cultures because, “we really wanted to build something positive, uplifting, and something the students can relate to.”

The 220 students at the South Phoenix high school campus come from various backgrounds as well. The murals and messages provide a way to express the beauty and uniqueness of their culture.  

Mahkaylah Hopkins, student body president, said: “I honestly think that the murals are going to do a great job with promoting diversity and letting people know it’s okay to be different, no matter who you are, your background, or where you come from.”

Watch Fox 10 News Report LINK

ASU Prep South Phoenix Partners with Elevated Education to Reengage Youth

« Back  |  October 26, 2022 - ASU Prep Digital

Teen Victory Program Provides Structure for Arizona Youth Ages 13-21

PHOENIX, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — ASU Preparatory Academy South Phoenix announces a partnership with Elevated Education, a leader in academic reengagement. The partnership will offer students and their families academic reengagement, and positive mentoring for youth through a project funded by the Arizona Governor’s Office.

“Covid exacerbated an already challenging academic climate for many students who were on the precipice of dropping out,” said James Meehan, CEO of Elevated Education. “Our innovative Teen Victory Program provides a positive alternative to teens and young adults seeking to reengage in their academics, offering opportunities for youth of diverse economic backgrounds to gain skills for academic success, relationship building with others, building a positive self-image, as well as connection to their local community, so we are thrilled to partner with ASU Prep in a joint effort to begin the process of academic reengagement and hope for a brighter future.”

The Program’s objectives include a wholistic approach to reengagement:

  • Analysis of participant’s education history
  • Academic mentoring/coaching
  • Develop individualized learning plan
  • School reengagement
  • Student Victory Team meetings (students, parents/guardians, school counselors, elevated mentor)
  • Ongoing mentoring throughout the school year

“Here at ASU Prep South Phoenix, our students have obstacles that we may not know about,” said Dr. Taime Bengochea, ASU Prep South Phoenix K-12 Principal. “It is so exciting to be partnered with Elevated Education and their Teen Victory Program so that our students can get extra support to re-engage with our school. With our partnership, Elevated can support those families who may not want to share information about their circumstances back into our school community. I look forward to the success we can achieve together for our families and students.”

For more information on how your school, school district or student can take advantage of this one-of-a-kind program, please fill out the online form, call 602-641-4495 or e-mail info@elevatedteens.com.

About Elevated Education

Elevated Education‘s mission is to cultivate a rigorous and innovative environment that focuses on each teen’s unique abilities and needs to foster profound transformative growth and learning through alternative education and programs. The Elevated Education team has reengaged and educated thousands of teen students over the years.

About ASU Preparatory Academy

ASU Preparatory Academy is a tuition-free college preparatory school that serves students in grades K-12. We are chartered by Arizona State University with the goal of helping each student Prep for college. Prep for careers. Prep for life.

SOURCE Elevated Education

Welcome Dr. Taime Bengochea

« Back  |  August 30, 2022 - ASU Prep Digital

K-12 Principal at ASU Prep South Phoenix

 
ASU Preparatory Academy is pleased to welcome Dr. Taime Bengochea to the team. Bengochea, often referred to as Dr. B, has built strong relationships in public education for the last 30 years. She is passionate about supporting students in finding their own pathway to success and working to support her staff in the ever-changing climate of education.

A respected and trusted leader, she has advocated for thousands of students and staff members across the Valley. Bengochea has held a variety of positions as a teacher, director of technology, assistant principal, and principal, and she has taught graduate courses for Argosy University in finance and educational leadership.  

She is an Arizona State University alumnus and received her graduate degree in elementary education. She has a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Pepperdine University in California.

When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, which includes three dogs and a crested gecko named Figment.

Principal Taime Bengochea can be reached at: Taime.Bengochea@asu.edu. 

ASU Prep Academy High School Students Win NASA’s TechRise Student Challenge

« Back  |  June 27, 2022 - ASU Prep Digital

Six students at ASU Preparatory Academy’s Polytechnic STEM High School were winners in NASA’s TechRise Challenge. Their experiment, “How will Hydrophobic and Non-Hydrophobic Sponges React with Water in Microgravity?” was selected to be tested in space and will launch on NASA’s Blue Origin rocket in January. Learn more. The team was interviewed by Fox 10 Phoenix.

Watch the Interview HERE