Education empowers individuals and communities alike.
In high-cost communities like Flagstaff, a college education is not a luxury. It is a practical and powerful tool for economic mobility. National data consistently show that individuals with an associate degree earn, on average, about $400,000 more over their lifetimes than those with only a high school diploma. That number climbs to more than $1 million for those who earn a bachelor’s degree. These aren’t abstract statistics – they represent real opportunities for Flagstaff residents to secure stable employment, support families and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
At Coconino Community College (CCC), we serve as a gateway to those opportunities. Whether students graduate and enter the local workforce or transfer to Northern Arizona University to pursue further studies, the outcome is the same: They are better positioned to stay in Flagstaff, to build careers here and to thrive.
But the value of higher education goes beyond individual earnings. An educated citizenry is essential to the health and success of any community. College-educated individuals are more likely to vote, volunteer and engage in civic life. They tend to have better health outcomes, stronger job stability, and are more likely to contribute to local business growth. In short, education is one of the key drivers of a thriving, interconnected community.
Community colleges, in particular, are uniquely positioned to make that happen. At CCC, we provide affordable, accessible and high-quality education to students from across Coconino County, including rural and tribal communities that are too often left out of the conversation. Without institutions like CCC, cities like Flagstaff risk becoming enclaves of privilege – places only accessible to those with outside wealth or inherited means. That’s not the future we want for our city or for the people who call it home.
Of course, higher education is not a silver bullet. It cannot, on its own, solve the housing crisis or reverse the forces of gentrification. But it is a critical piece of the puzzle. By investing in education, we invest in people – their potential, their resilience and their ability to help shape a more equitable future for Flagstaff.
If we want our children, neighbors and future leaders to live and work here – not just survive, but thrive – we must continue to support and strengthen institutions like CCC. Education empowers individuals and communities alike. And in a place as beautiful, complex and costly as Flagstaff, that empowerment has never been more necessary. FBN
By Eric A. Heiser
Eric A. Heiser, Ph.D., is the president and CEO of Coconino Community College.
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