Phoenix (STN) – Arizona’s schools are often discussed through the lens of disappointing national rankings. But during the March episode of ‘It Happens at STN‘, two education leaders urged the community to shift the focus toward building a long-term vision for the state’s students.
Scott Vanderpool, president of Bank of America Phoenix, and Dr. Chad Gestson, executive director of the Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy at Northern Arizona University, discussed how business, education, and community leaders can work together to strengthen Arizona’s education system.
Gestson emphasized that the state’s education challenges are not caused by a lack of talent or commitment from educators and students.
“Our people are not the problem,” he said. “We have incredible students, teachers, and educators. The issue is that we’re still working in an educational system that was structured the way it was a hundred years ago.”
His organization recently led a statewide effort to rethink that structure through the creation of the ‘State 48 Graduate Profile,’ a long-term vision for what Arizona students should be prepared to achieve.
Rather than starting with schools, the initiative began with a broader question about the future of Arizona’s children.
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“We asked what kind of future we want for the 1.5 million young people in this state,” Gestson said. “Then we design school around that.”
Over 18 months, the team gathered feedback from thousands of Arizonans through surveys, focus groups, and community conversations across all 15 counties.
The result is a framework designed to prepare students for multiple pathways after graduation.
“Quit pitting college versus career,” Gestson said. “Students should be ready for several futures, including employment, entrepreneurship, service, and higher education.”
Vanderpool said the private sector has a major role to play in supporting that vision.
“A community is only as strong as the opportunities it creates,” he said. “And those opportunities begin with education.”
Bank of America has invested heavily in workforce development programs, helping place tens of thousands of people into higher-wage jobs and skills training.
But Vanderpool told leaders in the room that broader participation will be needed to create lasting change.
“When you look at Arizona, ask yourself what future you want to see,” he said. “Then invest in building that.”
Gestson closed the conversation with a reminder that the effort will take time and collaboration across sectors.
“This won’t be owned by any single organization,” he said. “But if we rally behind our children, we can reshape the future of education in Arizona.”
