Achieve your educational goals

Alex Duran's aspirations are boundless, and he has the data to prove it.

Alex Duran’s journey toward higher education began with a promise. On his first day of high school in Camp Verde, Arizona, he committed to earning the grades necessary to secure scholarships that would lift the financial burden from his family. During his senior year, he balanced various jobs while maintaining exceptional grades. When transitioning to Arizona State University as an electrical engineering student, receiving support from the Thunderbird Scholars Program shifted his reality. He no longer needed to work extensively to support his family, allowing him to begin his journey toward excellence.

Free from heavy financial stress, Alex directed his energy toward hands-on engineering opportunities that impacted Arizona communities. During his sophomore year, he joined a project to build a solar-powered generator for a family on the Shonto reservation, becoming the team's electrical lead. Later, he committed to his senior design project, collaborating with Valley Metro to develop a comprehensive GPS tracking system for the Tempe Streetcar. This innovative work earned the Joseph and Sandra Palais Senior Design Prize, showcasing the dedication to elevating Arizona through sustainable technology and community impact.

The Thunderbird Scholars Program provided more than just financial relief; it offered a support system that championed success. When connected with dedicated mentors as part of the wraparound services provided by the program, Alex felt supported in navigating the professional world, providing the resources and confidence he needed to successfully interview for and secure his first engineering internship that same summer.

Today, Alex views his academic achievements as the foundation for a lifelong commitment to his community. To him, empowering excellence means remaining curious, driven, and constantly pushing to improve rather than striving for perfection. As he builds his career as a power substation engineer, he plans to produce high-quality designs that serve the public. Driven by the generosity of the donors who believed in his potential, Alex is determined to create systems and opportunities that benefit others, ensuring his legacy of service creates lasting change for years to come.

Photos courtesy of Alex Duran