Arizona State University has spent the past two decades reimagining what education can be and should be. Through Changing Futures, we will transform global education.
An exclusionary approach to education diminishes the excellence possible in a world full of different types of learners. As younger generations come into their own and rightfully question the place and value of higher education, we will show how the doors of inclusive excellence in education can open for everyone.
(Front cover) ASU serves learners at every stage in life, from K-12 to career development and beyond. We’re evolving the American research university model, providing learning to everyone with accessible digital learning tools and resources for all ages.
As part of the ASU AI Innovation Challenge, innovators at ASU are advancing 105 projects exploring the use of ChatGPT Enterprise across academic, research and work environments.
“We are driven to make certain that human beings will have access to unbelievable levels of learning throughout their lives.”
—Michael M. Crow President Arizona State University
The Los Angeles-based Narrative and Emerging Media program focuses on the development of a creative practice and critical understanding of emerging storytelling and immersive experience content creation in augmented, virtual and extended reality, and shortform digital, streaming and virtual production.
“Dreamscape Learn is pioneering how we bring learners along as active participants. We’re saying that everyone belongs in STEM and helping students see how learning connects to the real world. Now is the time to double down on a new way of teaching.”
—Lisa Flesher Chief, Realm 4 Initiatives Arizona State University
At ASU, we don’t ask learners to fit in a traditional educational box. We relish the opportunity to meet learners where they are — in their lives and careers, in any geographic location, at any age and at whatever entry point works for them.
Just as advancements like the printing press revolutionized education in the past by making textbooks possible, the technology and knowledge we have at our disposal now gives us the ability to make learning more accessible and engaging than ever before. ASU’s reach and impact are not limited by distance or preconceived notions about education, and we are reshaping educational models and redefining what it means to learn in the modern world.
Learning anywhere and everywhere
In addition to our locations across the country and around the globe, ASU Online further widens access to education. Free from geographical and scheduling constraints, more learners can have the ASU experience and all that it offers. With over 40,000 projects, programs and partnerships around the world and more than 60,000 learners engaged online, we collaborate to address the grand challenges of our time and reach learners across the globe.
“I wanted the entire experience, and at that point I didn’t care that I was 73 years old walking with 22-year-olds,” says Margie Albert, ’23 BA in liberal studies who completed her college degree through online courses. “It was so worthwhile. I have a college degree, and it has changed the way I perceive myself. If I can do it, anyone can do it.”
In 2024, ASU celebrated the benchmark of 100,000 graduates completing degrees through ASU Online. We were also ranked in the top 5 for best online bachelor’s programs by U.S. News & World Report. We’ve proven that the quality of education isn’t compromised for those who prefer the flexibility and collaborative online community of digital learning — and we are just getting started.
Robert Guignard, a student of the preprofessional BSD program in architectural studies offered by The Design School, collaborates with others on a project. The program helps students understand architecture as both a cultural expression and technical achievement.
Randy and Sharon Fortenberry, both longtime educators, moved to Mirabella at ASU in 2021 to attend campus events at a student fee rate, take courses and enjoy the artists-in-residence.
Offering access to all, throughout life
ASU is evolving the American research university model, providing an education to everyone through accessible digital learning tools and resources for all ages. That means that in addition to our degree-seeking students, we also serve learners at every stage in life, from K–12 to career development and beyond.
We challenge ourselves to provide universal access to democratized, adaptable education — for learners of all ages. That’s the driving purpose of ASU’s Learning Enterprise, which reaches learners through programs like ASU Prep, Accelerate ASU, ASU for Life and the Mirabella at ASU university-based retirement community.
Through Changing Futures, we will invest in signature Learning Enterprise programs including Earned Admission. This alternative to the conventional college application process allows learners to demonstrate their readiness for higher education by successfully completing college-level courses.
“As a formerly incarcerated person, I found it very difficult to find an opportunity to open the door to another life,” explains Alexander, an Earned Admission Learner and ASU online student pursuing a degree in philosophy. “ASU offers a chance to people who have never had one. I’m pursuing my education and want to become a lawyer to find those kids who no one ever helped and advocate for them.”
100 Million Learners
A decade ago, Thunderbird School of Global Management and Arizona State University joined forces to become the world’s premier institution for global leadership, management and business education. Today, Thunderbird is a global network of leaders, managers, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who advance the School’s vision of inclusive and sustainable prosperity worldwide.
Through Changing Futures, Thunderbird will pursue one of the boldest educational initiatives ever attempted by a university: The Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative. 100 Million Learners seeks to address one of the world’s great challenges: global educational inaccessibility. By offering a college-level entrepreneurship curriculum in 40 different languages via a dedicated online platform — all at no cost to the learner — this audacious program aims to engage 100 million individual learners across the globe.
Students from Thunderbird School of Global Management engage in a lively discussion at the Haas Digital Global Forum. The students are part of the Executive Master of Global Management program, where they specialize in Space Leadership, Business, and Policy.
“Thunderbird
is all about creating and equipping individuals and leaders who are capable of delivering sustainable, shared prosperity worldwide.”
—Charla Griffy-Brown Dean and Director General Thunderbird School of Global Management
travelled from Ukraine to Arizona to attend graduation. She intends to use her degree to make an impact through Support Ukraine Now, an initiative to bring new opportunities to the country.
Natalia Iskovych
In ASU’s New American University model education is for everyone
The American University Kyiv opened its doors in February 2022, just three weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite the tremendous challenges that followed, the school and its students persisted. Just over two years later, 32 students graduated with master’s degrees, including Natalia Iskovych, co-founder of Support Ukraine Now.
American University Kyiv came to life through the Arizona State University-Cintana Alliance, a partnership between ASU and Cintana Education that seeks to create the largest university network in the world led by the most innovative university in the U.S. Members of the ASU-Cintana Alliance share best practices; offer exchange opportunities for students and faculty; provide dual-degree programs with ASU and with other member universities; and benefit from the scale of a global community. Changing Futures will support the ASU-Cintana Alliance in becoming a leader in the global dialogue about the role and future of higher education.
“Witnessing these remarkable students walk across the stage, their journeys fraught with challenges, yet illuminated by unwavering perseverance, fills me with joy and deep admiration,” says Rick Shangraw, president of Cintana Education and professor of practice in the School of Public Affairs. “They have redefined the very essence of fortitude.”
Together, we are Changing Futures
Join us
ASU is already impacting the future of learning. Now, Changing Futures will accelerate our ability to challenge the boundaries of what education can make possible in our rapidly evolving world.
Through your support for this campaign, you can say “yes” to more advanced, accessible learning opportunities. You can partner with ASU as we strive to transform the world of education and meet the needs of all learners.
ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.
