2026 Arizona Adult Education Institute

Excelling Program Awards Criteria

• Increased percentage in overall MSG target
• Meets or exceeds overall MSG percentage target
• Meets (at least 90%) or exceeds enrollment target for all funded program areas
• Identified in the top 50% of Title II Programs based on the Risk Assessment Ranking
• Programs were disqualified if they had been issued a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) in 2025-2026 or a Memo of Concern (MoC)

Excelling Adult Education Program Award for ABE/ASE

Recipients: Central Arizona College Adult Education and Gila County Adult Education

Excelling Adult Education Program Award for ESOL/IELCE

Recipients: Somerton Adult Education

Innovation Award for Integrated Education and Training

Recipients: Queen Creek Adult Education

Innovation Award for Workplace Literacy

Recipients: Gilbert Adult Learning Program

State Leadership Participation Award

Recipients: Literacy Phoenix

Adult Education Recognition for Credential Attainment Rate Award

Recipients: Gilbert Adult Learning Program

ARIZONA@WORK Workforce Partner Award

Recipients: LaPaz/Mohave Counties

Adult Education Program Director Retirement Recognition

Recipients: Christine Niven, Program Director at Mesa Adult Education Program

AALL Rookie of the Year Award

This award honors an AALL member who has one to three years of active service in the field of Adult Education. The nominee has shown leadership, professional excellence, and contributed to lifelong learning.

Recipient: Kyrra Richard, Learning Assistant at Northland Pioneer College

AALL Educator of the Year Award

This award honors an AALL member who has four or more years of active service in the field of Adult Education, as either a full-time or part-time instructor. The nominee has shown leadership, professional excellence, and contributed to lifelong learning.

Recipient: Kathy Christensen>, Instructor at Pima Community College - Adult Basic Education for College & Career

AALL Support Staff of the Year Award

This award honors an employee who serves in any of the following capacities: clerical, classroom/lab aide, GED examiner, administrative assistant, support technician, student services. The nominee has contributed significantly to improving services for students. The nominee can be a full-time or part-time employee and does not have to be a member of AALL.

Recipient: Veronica Gutierrez, Senior Administrative Specialist at Rio Salado College

AALL Volunteers of the Year Award

This award recognizes a volunteer who has contributed their time to serving a program in any of the following capacities: clerical, classroom/lab aide, advisory board, leader, or educator.

Recipient: Tim & Stephanie Siemens, Volunteers at Queen Creek Adult Education Program

ABE/HSE Student of the Year Award

This award honors an ABE/HSE student. The nominee has been an active student during the current program year, demonstrated persistence and leadership, and contributed to adult education.

Recipient: Maya Dibble at Gila County Adult Education

ESOL Student of the Year Award

This award honors an ESOL or citizenship student. The nominee has been an active student during the past program year, demonstrated persistence and leadership, and contributed to adult education.

Recipient: Hector Castillo at Pima Community College - Adult Basic Education for College & Career

Additional information can be found on the AALL website.