ASU Thrive Magazine Spring 2026 V29N2

future Meet

See what’s happening at ASU with new ways of learning, new ways of solving real-world problems and new ways of impacting the world

The official publication of Arizona State University Spring 2026, Vol. 29, No. 2

CHIEF BRAND OFFICER, PUBLISHER

Jill Andrews �97 BS, �03 MPA

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EDITOR

Lindsay Kinkade

MANAGING EDITOR

Kari Redfield

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Heidi Easudes

DIRECTOR, ASU NEWS

Penny Walker

DEPARTMENT EDITOR, COPY EDITOR

Leigh Farr

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Nikki Link

PHOTO COORDINATOR

Sabira Madady

DESIGNERS

Erica Brooks; Beatrice Guo, ’23 MVCD; Omar Mota, ’19 BSD; Mark Munoz; Raini-Skye Rogers, ’23 BSD

PRODUCTION

Chris Myers, Jason Puckett, Zachary Leitzke

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STORY IDEAS AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

asuthrive@asu.edu

ASU THRIVE MAGAZINE

PO Box 875011, Tempe AZ 85287-5011 480-727-5440, asuthrive@asu.edu news.asu.edu/thrive-magazine

ASU Thrive (USPS 024-438; ISSN 1940-2929) is published quarterly by Arizona State University Enterprise Brand Strategy and Management, 660 S Mill Ave, Centerpoint Suite 401, Tempe, AZ 85281, 480-727-5440. Subscriptions are sent to all ASU alumni. For detailed information about supporting alumni traditions, scholarships and programs, visit alumni.asu.edu/give-back/donate Periodicals postage is paid at Tempe, Arizona, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address changes to ASU Thrive, Attention: Circulation, PO Box 875011, Tempe, AZ 852875011. Permissions: Portions of this publication may be reprinted with the written permission and proper attribution by contacting the ASU Thrive editor. ASU Th rive can be accessed online at news.asu.edu/thrive-magazine

ASU today

Transformation and innovation are constant at ASU as the university evolves to keep you on the leading edge of knowledge and discovery. So whether you just graduated last year or decades ago, you’ll find something new to explore in this issue of the magazine – a snapshot of the experiences available to you at one of the nation’s top-ranked universities. Meet some of the ASU students and alumni moving their lives forward in exciting new directions by earning degrees, upskilling and gaining new perspectives. From preschoolers to retirees, ASU offers something for everyone. We hope you will find inspiration to design your own experience and imagine how you can accomplish your purpose.

Join in anytime PAGE 2

Exciting places to learn and grow PAGE 4

Master the next level PAGE 6

Learn from faculty like no other PAGE 10

Quality you can count on PAGE 12

Be ready for tomorrow’s workplace PAGE 14

From learning to leadership PAGE 16

Gain hands-on experience to land your dream job PAGE 20

Gain a competitive edge in a career-prep ecosystem PAGE 22

Career resources from Day 1 PAGE 24

Life at ASU PAGE 26

Then and now: Passing the pitchfork PAGE 30

All in for Game Day PAGE 32

Join in anytime

Going for a home run

The Sun Devil Baseball and Softball teams are back on the field and ready for a winning season.

Softball: March 13–15, times vary, Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium, vs. Oklahoma State Baseball: March 13–15, times vary, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, vs. TCU sundevils.com

Ticketed Family

Explore ASU’s high-performance modern landscapes

Join a walking tour on any of the four Valley campuses to see ASU’s stunning, energy-smart architecture and green spaces. ASU has 78 LEED-certified buildings and 89 solar systems. Thursday, April 2, 10–11 a.m., Rob and Melanie Walton Center for Planetary Health, 777 E. University Drive, Tempe asuevents.asu.edu

Free Family

The Broadway musical from Alicia Keys

Hailed as The New York Times Critic’s Pick that is “thrilling from beginning to end — a rare must-see!,” “Hell’s Kitchen” tells the story of Ali, a 17-year-old girl who finds freedom, passion and her place in the world through the power of music.

Tuesday, April 28–Sunday, May 3, ASU Gammage asugammage.com

Ticketed Family

Summer programs for K–12 learners

ASU’s locations, including all four campuses in the Phoenix metro area and the ASU California Center, offer summer camps for a variety of interests, including engineering, sciences, health and the arts, for 11th and 12th grades and younger students.

Days and times vary by location summer.asu.edu/summer-youth-programs Family

Sun Devil Days and campus tours

Prospective students and their families are invited to tour the ASU campuses, including the newest residence halls, and talk to current students, learn about classes and majors, and discover what it’s like to be a Sun Devil. Also, find out more about Operation Comeback, which helps previous students come back to finish their degrees.

Choose from dates throughout April and beyond. Register at visit.asu.edu/ sundevilday. Free Family See asu events. asu.edu for additional ASU events. Visit sundevils. com for athletics.

1

ASU California Center in Los Angeles

Steps from the Fashion District and at the center of the nation’s film and TV industry, the ASU California Center provides professional and academic opportunities.

Exciting to learn and grow

2 West Valley campus

Surrounded by beautiful courtyards and fountains, this campus offers a tight-knit community with a welcoming vibe that is focused on training the next workforce generation.

3 Downtown Phoenix campus

Situated near health care, journalism, government, arts and other professions, this campus offers a big-city feel in a career-focused environment.

ASU Online

ASU offers more online programs ranked in the top 20 than any other university — at high quality. You’ll learn from the same top-tier faculty and follow the same curriculum as on-campus students.

4 Tempe campus

ASU’s historic campus is home to multidisciplinary research in first-rate research centers, innovative VR labs and the university’s Big 12 sports, with an energetic, friendly atmosphere.

places grow

5 Polytechnic campus

Located in the East Valley, this campus offers a “think, do, learn” experience with cuttingedge facilities and projectbased learning with industry partnerships.

6 ASU in Washington, D.C.

ASU in Washington, D.C., provides experiences with national and international issues through interactions with thought leaders and policymakers.

7 ASU BIOS

ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences conducts scientific analysis of the ocean and combines research with distinct teaching facilities in and near the ocean to offer experiential learning.

8 ASU London

A new U.K.accredited institution, it offers three-year bachelor’s degrees with projectbased, hands-on curricula that map to a one-year master’s degree.

“The balance is possible. One of the coolest things is working with faculty who are accommodating of my schedule.”

ASU master’s programs are delivering the skills students need to make bold career moves

Story by AMANDA LOUDIN

Master next the level

In today’s job market, certainty is rare. Shifting economic indicators, evolving industries and rapid technological change have students and professionals alike asking the same question: How do I stay competitive no matter what comes next?

One proven answer is advanced education — especially when it’s designed to keep pace with the real world. ASU’s master’s degree programs are built to do exactly that, equipping you with in-demand skills, hands-on experience and the adaptability employers value most.

Whether pursued immediately after a bachelor’s degree or later in life as a strategic career pivot, graduate

education at ASU is designed to help you stand out in a sea of candidates.

ASU master’s students come from all walks of life. Some balance full-time jobs while attending evening or online classes; others immerse themselves in full-time study. With a wide range of flexible, industry-aligned programs, ASU offers pathways tailored to nearly every professional goal.

Here are four master’s candidates and graduates who are expanding their skill sets, strengthening their resumes and positioning themselves for the careers they want next.

Coben Bourguet, in both photos, played for Sun Devil Football and is now a grad student interning at SpektreWorks.

Name: Coben Bourguet, ’24 BSE in engineering management Program: industrial engineering, MS Graduation: spring 2026

Why he is pursuing his master’s degree: to deepen his knowledge of the field of industrial engineering while pursuing his love for college football Current place of employment: SpektreWorks (internship)

It’s one thing to learn statistics and analytics concepts, and another to do a deep dive into their theories, derivations and applications. For industrial engineering master’s candidate Coben Bourguet, ’24 BSE in engineering management, that’s just part of the appeal in pursuing his degree.

“[The programs] transitioned really well with each other,” Bourguet says. “I really liked the operations research side of things. Taking classes with statistics and analytics as a big core foundation piqued my interest. You get to see the theory and derivation behind concepts you usually just glance over.”

Like many master’s students, Bourguet is keeping many balls in the air while maintaining his studies. One of those balls stands unique, however: Up until the last season, he was a member of the Sun Devil

Football team for four years. He has also managed an internship for the past three summers at the engineering firm SpektreWorks in North Phoenix, which designs drones and unmanned autonomous vehicles.

“It has been great to get my foot in the door with a growing company,” Bourguet says. “It’s been cool to see engineering concepts and theories applied in the real world.”

Bourguet credits his ability to manage full-time, in-person school even as a university Division 1 athlete with the supportive staff he’s found in his master’s program. His advice to others?

“Maximize your resources and dive into the faculty available to help you,” he says. “Use office hours, form study groups and get the most out of your time.”

Name: Callista Veaughn-Payne

Program: project management, MPM

Graduation: spring 2027

Why she is pursuing her master’s degree: to eventually become director of production at a major opera program

Current place of employment: Arizona Opera

As a full-time contract stage manager with the Arizona Opera, Callista Veaughn-Payne is steeped in the nonprofit world.

“Many nonprofits don’t run on traditional business practices and fall into a uniqueness bias that I think can be highly problematic,” she says. “I view stage management and production management as a form of project management. I am of the firm belief that if people take some theories and practices from corporate management into the nonprofit

Rural health care systems serve a different population than their big-city counterparts, says Alden Joe, and that population often falls through the cracks. Growing up in Ganado, Arizona, on the Navajo reservation fed his passion to pursue a degree in health care administration.

“At our hospital, many nurses have graduate degrees. I feel like I belong and that I’m contributing meaningfully to the population we serve, while also representing the university I attended.”

sector, we would see more success.”

It’s that belief that led VeaughnPayne to ASU’s Master of Project Management program, where she’s currently taking six credits per semester, split between in-person and online classes.

“I’m developing a sense of awareness and expectations,” she says. “In my project management theory class, we consistently discussed when and where to apply traditional project management approaches, and where we should

After several years of working in rural health care in hospital executive and revenue cycle positions, which is the management of the complete financial process of health care payments, Joe enrolled in ASU’s master’s program in health care administration and policy.

Joe credits his ASU master’s degree in preparing him for modern-day health care administration.

“Innovation and technology are constantly evolving,” he says. “ASU helps develop critical thinking and an innovative mindset.”

While in his degree program, Joe worked closely with Professors Michael Donovan and Amber Brooks-Gumbert, who gave him an in-depth understanding of both health economics and public policy.

“I think this program is designed in a way that allows the student to figure out how they are best suited to projects.”

and shouldn’t pivot to a more agile approach.”

As she looks into the future, Veaughn-Payne hopes to eventually become a director of production at a major opera company.

“I’m learning a lot of hard skills that will allow me to develop and manage budgets of that scope and figure out how to do things in a more sustainable way,” she says. “Being from ASU and working in the Valley gives me credibility [toward my goals] beyond just a bachelor’s degree in theater.”

Name: Alden Joe

Program: ’25 MS in health care administration and policy

Why he earned his master’s degree: to help position him to become a CEO of a rural health care organization

Current place of employment: Gila Regional Medical Center

He applies his learnings daily at Gila Regional Medical Center, a critical access hospital in rural New Mexico, where he holds a position as the director of revenue cycle management. His long-term goal is to serve his community on the Navajo Nation as a hospital CEO.

“Hearing that I could be [the supportive figure] I didn’t have when I was in high school is what really drew me in.”

Like many psychology majors, when she obtained her bachelor’s degree, Micaia Gerstner assumed she would need an advanced degree. Trouble was, she didn’t quite know which master’s program to choose.

“I worked in a behavioral health program because I thought I wanted to go the developmental psychology and PhD route,” she says. She loved it but felt it wasn’t for her.

Gerstner had never considered sports psychology, but upon learning about ASU’s first cohort that launched in fall 2024, she took interest. A gymnast and cheerleader growing up, Gerstner liked the idea of having a positive impact on young athletes.

While continuing to work full time, Gerstner is pursuing her master’s degree from New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences under the guidance of Professor Lindsey Markwell, taking classes at night at the West Valley campus.

“Lindsey has been a literal guiding light and mentor in our first

Name: Micaia Gerstner, ’22 BS in family and human development, ’22 BA in psychology

Program: sports psychology, MS Graduation: spring 2026

Why she’s pursuing her master’s degree: to become a sports psychologist

cohort,” says Gerstner.

Under Markwell’s mentorship, Gerstner has begun working with a local high school cheer team, gaining real-life experience along with her classwork.

As she looks toward graduation this spring, Gerstner is unsure if she’ll pursue private practice or a position as a team sports psychologist. But she is certain she will be well prepared for either.

“My professors helped me see the avenues available,” she says. “Sports is something I always wanted to be involved in, but I wasn’t sure how.”

Master’s degrees may not be for everyone, but in an ever-changing world, they can become a path to career success. If you’ve ever wondered “what if” when it comes to pursuing a new and different direction, check out ASU for a program to fit your needs. ��

Learn more at degrees.apps. asu.edu/masters-phd.

Learn from faculty like no other

Unparalleled excellence

A university that is rapidly reshaping the future cannot rely on the models of the past. That’s why ASU is home to more than 5,600 faculty leaders drawn from every frontier of modern human progress: inventors, scientists, policymakers, researchers, teachers, artists and entrepreneurs who refuse to accept the limits of traditional academia. Their expertise spans the full landscape of knowledge. But what truly sets them apart is how they operate. They function as a catalytic force, united around a rare clarity of mission and a mindset that nurtures talent in all its forms, and says yes to breakthrough solutions, and yes to moving faster than the institutions around us.

Learn more at asu.edu/academics/ faculty-excellence.

5,600+ faculty members

400+ ‘prestigious faculty’ as honored by the National Academies

58 notable awards including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and MacArthur “genius” Fellows

“This professorship marks a new chapter in my life. ... I find the answer to my question ‘Where’s the love?’ in this course. The Agentic Self represents a solution to AI replacing human jobs.”

– WILL.I.AM, INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED C REATIVE AND TECH INNOVATOR AND THE FRONTMAN OF THE BLACK EYED PEAS

He is teaching a course on agentic AI with his FYI.AI tech solution, a creative co-pilot he and his team have designed to draft new words, music, images and more, riffing with creators naturally like a member of their own creative team. With FYI.AI, students can ideate faster than ever before and turbocharge their creative output.

Quality you count on

What happens when a university has a global reputation for academic excellence yet remains open to any student eager to learn? This combination creates an incredible, worldwide demand for an ASU education.

ASU has become one of the largest and most impactful communities of students and experts in the world. We are constantly innovating with new degree programs, cutting-edge learning methods and welcoming spaces to foster growth and discovery.

Top-ranked programs

38 undergraduate and graduate programs at ASU, including online, are in the top 10 in the U.S.

— U.S. NEWS & WORLD R EPORT, 2025–26

Learn more about ASU rankings at asu.edu/rankings.

Including these graduate programs:

• #1 in the world for international trade

— QS INTERNATIONAL TRADE RANKINGS, 2023–26

• #1 in the U.S. for educational and instructional media online master’s

— U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2026

• #2 in the U.S. for graduate school program in criminology

— U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025

• #2 in the U.S. for homeland security and emergency management program

— U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025

• #3 in the U.S. for best graduate local government management program

— U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025

• #2 in the U.S. for electrical engineering online master’s

— U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2026

What does a nationally ranked graduate program mean for you?

It means you’ll stand out in competitive fields and have the confidence, skills and hands-on experience you need to succeed.

ASU is repeatedly ranked #1 innovation

ASU ahead of MIT and Stanford

— U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 1 1 YEARS, 2016–26, THE ONLY UNIVERSITY TO EVER HOLD THE TITLE

And has ranked #1 on 30+ lists in the last 3 years

you can

448 undergraduate degree options for learning on campus in Arizona. 277 of the majors have an accelerated option, which offers highly committed students the same high-quality curriculum as the regular degree path options in a shorter period of time.

284 master’s degree options for learning on campus in Arizona. 156 have an accelerated option, offering the same high-quality curriculum as the regular degree path in a shorter period of time.

Learn more about all ASU degrees at degrees.asu.edu.

12,000+ courses offered

18-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio

Who teaches classes?

All

learners study with the same outstanding faculty

All ASU students learn alongside the same quality professors and researchers across the university as they explore innovative ideas and make groundbreaking discoveries. These game changers and academic mentors include Nobel laureates and other leaders in their fields, providing you access to some of the brightest minds in academia.

Learn more at asu.edu/academics/ faculty-excellence.

ASU’s faculty includes:

• Nobel laureates

• Pulitzer Prize winners

• MacArthur “genius” Fellows

• Fulbright U.S. Scholars

• Guggenheim Fellows

• American Academy of Arts and Sciences members

• National Academy of Sciences members

• National Academy of Engineering members

• National Endowment for the Humanities Fellows

Will an ASU degree help you get a better job?

ASU is ranked #2 in the U.S. for employability

among public universities ASU ahead of UCLA, University of Michigan and Purdue

— GLOBAL EMPLOYABILITY UNIVERSITY

R ANKING AND SURVEY, 2023–26

Top 15 colleges in the U.S. for launching your career

– FORBES, 2025

Empowering learners of all ages

• ASU Prep includes charter schools and also partners with other K–12 schools to offer college-prep level secondary education, as well as ASU college courses that meet high school requirements and provide college credit.

• Career upskilling and personal growth provides workforce development, along with learning opportunities from birth through your entire lifespan.

1.98 million jobs to be added to health care and social assistance from 2024 to 2034

14,000 nursing jobs unfilled in Arizona in 2025

60% of employers expect broadening digital access, including AI, to transform their businesses by 2030

124,200 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year from 2024 to 2034

Data scientists among the fastest-growing occupations from 2024 to 2034

30% of working hours in the U.S. expected to be exposed to automation by AI by 2030

13% growth in forensic professions between 2024 and 2034, vs. average of 3.1%

2 lawyers per 1,000 residents served Arizona in 2024

SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL GET YOU THERE

• Accelerated BSN clinical nursing program in 12 months

• BS or MS in forensic science

• MS in organizational leadership

• AI degrees across the university, an MS in artificial intelligence in business

• ASU Law JD, part time and online; highest-ranked U.S. law school offering a JD part time and online

• 4+1 accelerated programs that allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years

• MS in business analytics

• MS in information systems management

• MS in computer science (cybersecurity)

• MS in program evolution and data analytics

• MS in public health technology

Learn more at degrees.asu.edu.

SOURCES: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, ASU, MCKINSEY GLOBAL INSTITUTE AND THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

Workforce demand is accelerating in fields that combine technical knowledge with real-world application. Health care and legal professions will continue to face shortages; business roles require more specialization. Meanwhile, organizations across industries increasingly rely on data, cybersecurity and analytics to operate, compete and grow.

Success in this ever-changing environment requires transformational education that prepares students for the unknown and where the job marketplace is headed. Here are some degrees at ASU that do just that and signal to employers that you’re not keeping up with change – you’re leading it.

Learn more at career.asu.edu

Throughout their careers, ASU graduates achieve success in almost every industry imaginable. By embracing ASU’s dedication to lifelong learning, these three alumni have created unique career paths that have allowed them to give back to their communities and embrace the culture that makes it America’s most innovative university.

Anything I see in the world and observe, I might as well just give it a shot.”

Dallas Rogers creative director

Dallas Rogers, ’23 BFA (photography) with a certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation, has found her dream job helping people tell stories and put on events. Perhaps it’s appropriate, then, that she found that job in a scene that could have been out of a movie.

Rogers was weeks away from graduating from ASU after studying photography. She was on her way to her senior exhibition and had been applying for jobs.

“I was thinking about my career and got a little lost in thought, and I got honked at by the person behind me,” she remembers.

Jolted back to the present moment, she saw a vehicle for a company called White Tie Productions.

“I kind of just had this moment where I was like, you know what?

It turned out that White Tie Productions — a Phoenix event production company — was owned by Ross Snyder, ’17 BS in marketing, who was receptive to connecting with another Sun Devil and hired her. There she would put her entrepreneurship skills, eye for aesthetics and appreciation to use as a creative director. The culture of her employer matched ASU’s: She was encouraged to ask lots of questions and to try new things.

Recently, Rogers has started to inline skate, and the first thing she learned to do was safely fall.

“Don’t be afraid,” she says, “because falling actually propels you and gets you closer to the opportunities that you’re seeking. It is simply something that comes in the adventure of learning.”

Advice: Take risks and try new things.

Learn more about alumni making a difference and ASU at news.asu.edu .

leadership learning From to

“Don’t be afraid because falling actually propels you and gets you closer to the opportunities that you’re seeking.

— DALLAS ROGERS

leadership learning

How alumni have found their purpose and carved their own career journeys

Story by BRET HOVELL

“It was a great honor for me, especially since that was where the dream to paint murals started.”

— KYLLAN MANEY, ON HER NEW MURAL IN TEMPE’S NEW RESIDENCE HALL FOR DESIGN AND THE ARTS MAJORS

Kyllan Maney professional artist and teacher

Kyllan Maney, ’94 BFA (painting), wears many hats. She is an accomplished public artist and muralist — what she considers to be a dream job.

Her career connects back to an opportunity she had as a college student at ASU: a job she held for all four years of college at the ASU Art Museum.

There she learned how to judge wall surfaces and what different kinds of paint and material present well and how to create exhibitions, which she does with her students at New School for the Arts and Academics, a public charter school in Tempe.

And she was inspired by the

work of the professional artists who came through the doors, including an exhibition by the Los Angeles muralist Judy Baca.

“When I saw that exhibition, I realized in that moment, this is what I want to do,” Maney recalls.

She has been with the school for 24 years teaching students not only how to make art, but about the business of art, like how to write an artist’s statement and how to make a proposal.

“You can be the best artist in the world, but if you don’t understand those things, it can be very hard to navigate in the art world,” she says.

She applied for and received a grant from the city of Tempe to create a mural with her students that is still on the front of the New School’s building.

And she has been involved with public art around the Valley

including painting on streets and roundabouts around Tempe.

Recently, Maney’s journey has returned her and her work to ASU. She was selected to paint a mural inside Tempe’s newest residence hall, which is home to many students studying in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

“It’s symbolic of connection, it’s symbolic of the plants on campus and it is just a calm, peaceful, tranquil place,” Maney says.

It was a proud, full-circle moment for Maney.

“It was a great honor for me, especially since that was where the dream to paint murals started,” she says. “That I was able to do it for the art students specifically, that was really important to me.”

Advice: Find a community that you feel connected to and study the thing that you love the most.

Chris Zajic vice president of finance

“I can’t remember all of my professors’ names anymore, but I can remember exactly how and what they taught. I couldn’t wait for class.”

— CHRIS ZAJIC

what they taught. I couldn’t wait for class.”

His pivot launched a successful career. After graduation, Zajic started at a commercial real estate company in Los Angeles, where he learned how to put together financial analysis that tells a story. That allowed him to work closely with executives, where he learned how important corporate decisions are made.

After a position as the manager of corporate finance at a company in Denver, Zajic and his wife moved to Florida, where he began work at NextEra Energy Resources, which works in both traditional and renewable sources of energy.

Zajic is now serving as the vice president of finance for the firm.

Throughout his career, Zajic has benefited socially and professionally from his connection to ASU. Many of his colleagues in Los Angeles were from schools in the same athletic conference as ASU, and he found a robust alumni network at his stop in Colorado.

Chris Zajic, ’03 BS in management, has risen to the top of the corporate world working in renewable energy. But when he came to ASU he had his eyes locked on ESPN.

“I wanted to be the next SportsCenter anchor,” he says.

A change of heart led to a change of majors and to Zajic buckling down inside ASU’s business school.

“I loved the classes I took,” he says. “I can’t remember all of my professors’ names anymore, but I can remember exactly how and

Now he runs an annual scholarship for students in the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Zajic also takes mentorship seriously, both formally and informally. He has a particular interest in helping awardees of his scholarship learn to navigate corporate America faster.

“I’ve gotten to the point in my career where I think it’s time to start giving back to the next generation,” he says.

Advice: Take mentorship seriously and give back to the next generation when you can. ��

Gain hands-on experience to land your dream job

From interning with American manufacturing’s powerhouses to developing robots, the experiences on ASU’s Polytechnic campus are helping graduates secure jobs that drive the economy forward and protect our nation’s success.

“The connection to industry is a really big deal,” says Ammon Hall, ’23 BS and ’24 MS in manufacturing engineering.

Whether working as a research assistant on campus or pursuing a formal internship, both he and Zachary Goode, ’23 BSE in engineering (robotics), ’23 BS and ’24 MS in manufacturing engineering, credit that hands-on experience to helping them secure jobs prior to completing their graduate degrees through ASU’s accelerated master’s program.

Hall currently works as a robotics and controls development engineer at AeroSpec in Chandler and Goode as a systems engineer at Northrop Grumman in Gilbert and Goodyear.

Students also benefit from a strong culture of support.

“I studied in Asia and Europe, and I have not seen this level of mentorship anywhere else,” says Sunny Amatya, ’24 PhD in systems engineering, and a research and development engineer at FANUC America.

Learn more at campus.asu.edu/polytechnic-campus.

“The fact that the ASU programs work so closely with all these different companies is a selling point. A lot of other schools don’t necessarily have that.”

— AMMON HALL, ’23 BS AND ’ 24 MS IN MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING, CURRENTLY WORKING AT AEROSPEC

Ammon Hall worked directly with industry partners like Boeing and Honeywell as a lab assistant on the Polytechnic campus.

Gain a competitive edge in a career-prep ecosystem

Meet some students and see how their journeys put them on the path to a great future

“The hands-on experience I received at ASU was huge. Many universities aren’t as hands-on, and that truly gave me an edge.”

C. Mechanical engineering

“I loved ASU because of all the different opportunities that were available to me and because of all the amazing people I met and formed connections with. Choosing ASU is genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Tia R. Sports journalism

Honors project

Designed and built custom equipment using 3D printers, saving the physics department thousands of dollars.

Campus job

Gained practical experience with 3D-printing technology while working under the mentorship of physics department faculty.

Professional experience

Built a competitive portfolio as a Phoenix Mercury beat reporter for The IX Basketball, assistant editor for the Walter Cronkite Sports Network, digital sports reporter and sports producer for Cronkite News, sports commentator for ESPN+, and anchor for Cronkite Noticias — leveraging bilingual Spanish-language skills.

“ASU gives students the autonomy to shape their own experience, empowering us to take initiative, explore interests and design our own path.”

Olivia B. Biomedical sciences

Student government

Served as director of Student Advocacy and Assistance, gaining experience managing feedback, solving issues and advocating for others.

The entire ASU student experience is designed as a career ecosystem . Everything you do here — leading a club, working part time, playing an intramural sport — helps build the skills that will propel you to an outstanding career, such as participating in global internships with international organizations, short-term virtual micro-internships or a success course to help you make the most of your internship experiences.

Career services

Capstone project

Designed easy-toassemble emergency shelters, strengthening problem-solving and design skills under real-world constraints.

On-campus job

Served as promotions director and assistant sports director for Blaze Radio, developing leadership, broadcast production and on-air hosting experience across multiple radio shows.

Used the ASU CareerLink platform to apply for jobs, accessing more than 40,000 opportunities for students and alumni.

Full-time job

Stood out among more than 300 applicants and was hired as an equipment engineer at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, two months after graduation.

Post-graduation career

Internship

Completed a production internship with ESPN in Los Angeles, gaining hands-on experience working on SportsCenter and NBA Today while expanding her professional network.

Clubs

Participated in the Pre-Health Club and Pre-PA Club, building a strong peer network.

Internship

Provided compassionate support to patients and families at Hospice of the Valley, gaining hands-on experience in dementia care.

Work experience

Secured a role as a feature writer in the USA Basketball Writing Program prior to graduation and was hired as a sports reporter for The Clarion Ledger immediately after graduating in May 2025.

Worked as a medical assistant at Camelback Pediatrics, gaining clinical experience and strengthening communication and empathy.

Graduate school plans

Preparing to pursue graduate study to become a physician assistant.

Career resources for students from Day 1

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take the next step in a long career, ASU’s numerous career resources will help you thrive

Ira

A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Building

in career support from the start

The Fulton Schools of Engineering Career Center connects students with career guidance and industry insight — from their first year through graduation and beyond. Career coaches help students translate learning into the skills employers value. Through resume and interview prep, recruiting events and internships, students gain realworld connections and practical experience. career.engineering.asu.edu

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law

Helping students secure jobs in law

ASU Law delivers personalized career support through one-on-one advising from JD leaders with unmatched real-world learning. The law school ranks in the top 5% for experiential opportunities and the top 10% for public service and clerkships. As a result, 95% of graduates secure full-time legal or JD-advantage roles within 10 months. law.asu.edu/career-services

Barrett, The Honors College

Preparation in a top-ranked honors college

Barrett prepares students through early, personalized career development. Honors faculty and staff offer one-on-one support, while Barrett-specific campus partnerships offer early access to career fairs, employer visits and tailored advising. Preprofessional support staff, Life Prep programs, Global Initiatives and a strong Barrett alumni network help build skills and connections to thrive after graduation. barretthonors.asu.edu

Walter

Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Helping students secure jobs in journalism

The Cronkite School connects students and grads with worldwide media internships and opportunities. In 2025, 345 students completed internships, nearly 150 students were paired with media industry mentors and more than 650 students met face-toface with national recruiters. cronkite.asu.edu/students/career-services

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Gain a competitive edge

The Futures Initiative at The College is built to provide career support for students in every phase of their college journey. Through career counseling services, as well as internship and research support, students at The College graduate as strong candidates entering the job market. thecollege.asu.edu/student-life/careers

W. P. Carey School of Business

Setting students up for success in business

W. P. Carey School connects talent with opportunity through tailored experiences for students, alumni and employers. The school partners with more than 650 organizations to offer hands-on opportunities, including the W. P. Carey Undergraduate Co-op Program, a six-month, professional experience. career.wpcarey.asu.edu

Career resources for alumni

One-on-one career advising Book your virtual appointment. alumni.asu.edu/alumni-career-services

Career resources Explore job market insights, learning programs and more. career.eoss.asu.edu

320Live! Three Sun Devil 100 honorees from a different industry each month share career journeys and insights. alumni.asu.edu/320live

ASU Leadership Institute

Join leaders from ASU and the community one Friday per month for nine months. Apply by April 30. alumni.asu.edu/leadership-institute

Handshake Find jobs with preferred employers. asu.joinhandshake.com

ASU group on LinkedIn featuring 1 million followers. linkedin.com/company/asualumni

ASU Alumni events for forging friendships and connections. alumni.asu.edu/events

Alex Holt, ’25 Master of Science in finance, tapped into professional development opportunities at ASU. He plans to combine his leadership and finance experience to acquire and operate an established small business — offering a thoughtful transition option for an owner looking for a long-term steward.

Empowering learners globally SolarSPELL by ASU, which was named one of TIME’s 2025 Best Inventions, empowers offline communities globally by providing access to localized offline libraries. ASU students are involved in every aspect of the project.

Life at

ASU

Unique learning spaces preparing students for the future

Train with the digital tools behind Hollywood hits Immersive filmmaking at the ASU MIX Center features a state-of-the-art LED stage that uses real-time camera tracking — the same technology that powers interactive art installations and sets for TV series and Hollywood movies like “The Mandalorian.”

Drone research for high-risk, lifesaving missions The largest of its kind in academia, the ASU Drone Studio provides a research environment for academic, government and industry partners to study and develop multirobot swarming, cyber-physical systems and human-robot interactions using a powerful 3D-tracking system.

Work with professional-grade technology on all ASU campuses

Engineering students at ASU work with technology like mechanical testing machines in their classes. This early hands-on experience means they graduate with the technical skills employers need.

Designing for the runway

At ASU FIDM, fashion students in Phoenix and Los Angeles don’t just study design — they put it on display. Degree programs in design, merchandising, product development, technical design and styling culminate in high-profile exhibition opportunities, including “Totally Awesome,” a 1980s- and ’90s-inspired fashion show held at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles in January where students exhibited their work.

Excellence-powered teaching ASU President Michael M. Crow teaches PAF 547: Science, Technology and Public Affairs. The course focuses on how institutions shape technological trajectories, how technology impacts societies and how societies influence technologies.

Fieldwork for future careers

Students in ASU’s School of Interdisciplinary Forensics, the only one of its kind in the U.S., learn on the West Valley campus how to uncover evidence and apply forensic techniques to help solve crimes. Pictured: Professor Jacob Harris with students mapping a mock crime scene.

Learn more at admission.asu.edu.

Then and now:

Passing the pitchfork

Across decades and generations, ASU continues to be the place where Sun Devils learn skills to position them for solid careers — and to meet the friends and mentors who shape their lives long after graduation.

ASU life 30 years ago

What was it like to attend ASU in the ’90s? For Bill Nolde, ’97 BS in accountancy, it began with a cross-country move from New York with two boxes that included a cassette player, tapes, a radio and a 19-inch TV for video game nights with friends. One of those friends became the best man at his wedding. Classes, typing up papers at the Computing Commons and playing pickup games of basketball and volleyball made up his days.

“The ‘tools’ are different today, but the experience of being a Sun Devil — finding your people, your path and your purpose — hasn’t changed.”

– BILL NOLDE, ’97 BS, WHOSE WI FE AND TWO DAUGHTERS ARE

The Nolde family gathers for 2024 ASU Family Weekend.

“As soon as I toured [the Tempe campus], I knew I wanted to go here. I considered other schools, but once I saw ASU, that was it.”

– REAGAN NOLDE, THIRD-YEAR BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES ST UDENT WHO LIVES IN HOUSING ON THE TEMPE CAMPUS FOR STUDENTS IN BARRETT, THE HONORS COLLEGE

Life in the digital age Today, one of Bill’s two Sun Devil daughters, Reagan Nolde, a third-year biomedical sciences student at Barrett, The Honors College, uses a tablet to annotate slides, keep everything digital and organize her assignments. Nights off mean streaming episodes of “Dancing with the Stars” with her roommates and, like her father before, intramural sports.

Learn more at admission.asu.edu/ campus-life.

Kennedy and Bill with their ASU ID cards.

The student section sells out regularly at Sun Devil games.

All in for Game Day

ASU doesn’t just bring the heat on the ice — it delivers unforgettable Game Day experiences across all sports. From hockey to football, Sun Devil Athletics creates electric atmospheres. Students can join the Inferno, the hottest, sell-out student section in the country, while families and fans of all ages can secure tickets through the Game Day app.

Learn more at sundevils.com FOR ALL AGES

in the

Gain an edge job market

by studying at the #2 in the U.S. public university for graduate employment

ASU ahead of UCLA, University of Michigan and Purdue – Global Employability University Ranking and Survey, 4 years, 2023–26

Many ways to learn

ASU has on-campus, flexible, accelerated and online ways to learn from pre-K–12 to college, master’s degrees and beyond. Explore more at asu.edu .

Start an undergraduate or master’s degree this fall semester

It’s not too late to start a master’s degree or encourage a learner to apply for admission.

Find the latest information and deadlines by scanning this code with your smartphone camera.

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