In a massive effort to increase the state’s college enrollment and graduation rates, Northern Arizona University is launching the Arizona Attainment Alliance. 

The A++ program is a partnership between NAU and every community college district in the state, and the Arizona Commerce Authority. 

The idea is to align academic programs with the needs of the Arizona workforce.

NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera says this alliance will also help Arizonans already on the job. 

“We do understand that even if a student right out of high school decides to go, for example, into a trade, that several years down the line they may be interested in coming back for a different type of certificate or degree to help position them better within their field," Cruz Rivera said.

Cruz Rivera says Arizona’s post-secondary attainment rate is below the national average, and there’s an annual shortage of qualified workers necessary for the modern state economy.

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