Meet the NAU student who’s graduating debt-free

When Jessica Gonzalez was accepted to Northern Arizona University (NAU), the first thing she did was check the financial aid package. 

Jessica, who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico as a child, hoped that college could offer a pathway to a career and financial security. But her hope was overshadowed by worry about college debt. “I couldn’t count on a lot of financial support from my family,” says Jessica. “And I just didn’t want that financial burden.” 

Getting an education after high school has value, but that value is not the same for everyone. A disproportionate number of students of color and students from low-income backgrounds are economically no better off 10 years after they graduate from college. Policymakers and institutions of higher education in the U.S. must take steps to ensure that college degrees are affordable and result in real labor-market value for graduates. 

NAU, where Jessica ultimately enrolled in the civil engineering program, is leading the way. The university has made equitable value and economic mobility a central part of its mission. And it is acting on this mission through a series of initiatives, such as guaranteeing free tuition to Arizona residents with annual household incomes under $65,000 and to all students from the state’s 22 federally recognized tribes. 

NAU has also formed an alliance with the Arizona Commerce Authority and the state’s 10 community college districts to align educational programs with the state’s workforce needs, ensuring that more students can pursue degrees that feed into in-demand jobs. 

Jessica is about to graduate debt-free with an engineering degree, and she has accepted a great offer at a major Arizona-based construction firm. Her drive, combined with NAU’s intentional strategies and commitment to value, is setting her on a path to achieve her dreams—something that all students deserve.

Our Co-chair Bill Gates gave the 2023 commencement address at Jessica Gonzalez’s graduation.