The Maricopa County Community College District has entered into a new partnership to support its students who are single parents.
The district, known as MCCCD, has teamed up with Save The Family, a nonprofit that helps families who are at-risk or experiencing homelessness. They’re building the Phoenix Scholar House, which will offer affordable housing to single parents pursuing postsecondary education.
Save The Family’s chief programs officer Erin Cowan-Hegg said they will also offer wraparound services with case managers on site.
“So we’re really there to help them check in, make sure that they’re meeting with their academic adviser, their financial advisor, make sure that they have a way to pay for their school, [and] look at scholarships," Cowan-Hegg said.
The 56-unit Phoenix Scholar House will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Construction is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Save The Family’s chief housing development officer Allisia Fiorini said the project was inspired by the Family Scholar House, which is based in Kentucky.
“We introduced the project to Maricopa Community Colleges and this is just such a need on their end as many of their students experience housing deficiencies," Fiorini said.
Lindsey Wilson, MCCCD chief marketing and communications officer, said the announcement represents a first‑of‑its‑kind partnership for the college system and is a new, innovative model for supporting students.
"We recognize that there are other barriers that students face beyond just tuition costs," Wilson said. "Over 90% of our students are Maricopa County residents, and we're committed to working with community partners to address those barriers head-on. This project responds to rising housing costs, challenges with child care, food and transportation, which are often some of the most common barriers that disproportionately impact students who have children and can hinder college completion."
-
House Republican leaders have agreed to impose some new limits on the use of school vouchers in exchange for education advocates scrapping a more far-reaching measure to rein in the school choice program. -
The Arizona Board of Regents has filed a lawsuit, on behalf of Arizona State University, so the school can acquire a privately owned historic property. -
Many of us have had the experience of lying in bed in the middle of the night, trying desperately to fall asleep and not being able to. Researchers at the University of Arizona will be studying how being awake at that hour can impact our decision-making abilities. -
Questions raised about integrity of Big 12 games after Texas Tech QB ruled eligible despite gamblingA ruling from a judge in Texas has led to a lot of consternation over one school in the Big 12 — that’s the conference in which both Arizona State University and University of Arizona play. -
Community members packed another school board meeting on Tuesday to participate in public comment.
