“I’m a product of public education, from kindergarten through college,” says Kirsten Butzow, ’92.
Born and raised in Flagstaff, Butzow and her husband, Steve Butzow, ’90—both proud NAU alumni—credit public education with shaping their lives and careers. “The greatest way to change the trajectory of a student, family, and community is by making education accessible. We firmly believe in the power of education to change lives.”
This belief that public education changes lives is what led the Butzows to Team College Bound (TCB), housed within NAU’s Campus Visits and Family Engagement office.
Launched in 2023, TCB was created to address a reality many families face: the college-going process is complex, intimidating, and often unfamiliar—especially for first-generation families.
Through a five-week course offered in English, Spanish, and Indigenized formats, TCB equips parents and caregivers of Flagstaff Unified School District high school students with practical tools and knowledge about admissions, financial aid, academic expectations, and life after high school. Families move through the program together, building confidence, trust, and a shared vocabulary around college.
With the support of Flagstaff Unified School District leadership, participation has grown from five families to more than 100 in just two years, representing nearly 120 students. This fall, 35 students whose families completed the program enrolled at NAU.
“I am deeply grateful to the Butzow family for their generosity in establishing this scholarship and to Northern Arizona University for their continued support of our families, as these partnerships ensure more of our students can pursue their college dreams,” says Flagstaff Unified School District Superintendent Michael Penca.
“It’s early intervention in the truest sense,” Butzow says. “You’re not just talking to students—you’re empowering families. And that changes everything.”
Why the Butzows chose TCB
When they retired in 2024, the Butzows were entering what they call the “give-back phase” of life.
After a full day touring programs across the university, one stood out immediately.
“Team College Bound checked every box,” Butzow says. “Public education. Local impact. First-generation students. Underserved communities. The ability for us to show up and be part of the work.”
For the Butzows, supporting Flagstaff students—particularly those who grew up in the same community they did—felt personal. Team College Bound’s deep roots in local public schools and its focus on early, family-centered engagement aligned closely with their belief that meaningful change starts at the community level.
Through their support, the Butzows established the Butzow Scholars program, which provides scholarships and programmatic support to students from Flagstaff-area public high schools whose families complete the TCB program. The goal isn’t simply to cover tuition—many students already qualify for tuition assistance through NAU’s Access2Excellence program—but to help remove the less visible barriers that can derail a college journey: books, technology, transportation, and day-to-day expenses.
“Tuition is just one piece,” Butzow says. “College is expensive in so many other ways. If we can help reduce those stressors, students can focus on learning.”
“Families’ number one concern with college is often the cost. The Butzows saw this barrier and jumped right on board to help,” says Director of Enrollment Management Maggie Thom. “TCB families have expressed the impact of what they’ve learned, including how it has invited them to have conversations with their students about their future while navigating college language and processes.”
Just as important to the Butzows is the sense of belonging the program fosters. They’ve become familiar faces at Team College Bound sessions and graduations—offering encouragement, helping families practice scholarship applications, and sharing their own experiences navigating education and careers.
A full-circle moment
At a recent TCB event, that sense of possibility, and community, came into sharp focus. A parent, Jennifer Gobeil Mageary, approached Kirsten to say thank you. As they talked, the woman mentioned her grandmother’s name: Connie Jensen.
“She was my fourth-grade teacher,” Butzow says. “One of the best I ever had.”
That evening, Jensen’s great-grandson stood nearby, learning about TCB and preparing to apply for the Butzow Scholarship.
“You cannot make that up,” Butzow says. “That is the entire essence of why we’re doing this: the ability to pay it forward by fostering Flagstaff’s future generations’ access to education.”
“When I first started this journey with Team College Bound, I never knew I would learn so much, feel so connected to my town, and enjoy the classes as much as I did,” says Mageary.
In addition to their current support, the Butzows made a planned gift to ensure TCB and the Butzow Scholars program can continue to serve Flagstaff families for years to come.
For the Butzows, education remains the most durable investment they know how to make.
“Once you acquire knowledge in any form, like a college degree,” Butzow says, “no one can take that from you. And there’s nothing more powerful than that.”
