The Blavin Bettin Scholars Program
Serving as a holistic program to support youth aging out of foster care, the Blavin Bettin Scholars Program helps students achieve their dream of obtaining a degree from NAU. Founded in 2010 by Amy Blavin, ’14, and Paul Blavin, ’14, honorary alumni of NAU, the couple united with Jeanette and Tuck Bettin in 2021, increasing the impact through comprehensive individual and program support.
Having started the program at the University of Michigan, Paul Blavin’s undergraduate alma mater, his involvement on the board of Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation sparked his interest in bringing the program to Arizona, where it was embraced at NAU.
The Blavins’ dedication and commitment to the program’s success inspired the Bettin family, who were already familiar with NAU through their son’s Lumberjack journey, to join. Building on the strong foundation the Blavins established, the Bettin family amplified their work with a hands-on, integrated approach and funding to support a dedicated program manager.
“Our focus with the program is sustainability and what we can achieve to help more students for years to come,” Tuck Bettin shared. “We want this program to be a blueprint for other schools and serve as inspiration to help more youth in foster care.”
Through their collaborative design to help more students, the Blavin Bettin Scholars Program provides comprehensive individual and program support, helping Lumberjacks navigate and maximize their college experience as they pursue a bachelor’s degree at NAU. Students receive a scholarship renewable for each academic year enrolled in the Blavin Bettin Scholars Program and have access to faculty and staff mentors, individual and group tutoring, workshops, counseling services, and more.
The program serves 27 students, with anticipated growth to 40 in the 2024–25 academic year. What makes this program unique and sustainable to accommodate the growth is the donor’s support of a dedicated program manager. Emphasizing NAU’s culture of care, the program manager provides students with more personalized support, ensuring they are equipped with the help and resources they need to succeed.
“There is a tremendous opportunity at NAU, and thanks to the Bettin family, leadership direction from President Cruz Rivera, and dedicated staff at NAU, the program is equipped with resources to be successful and expand to support more Lumberjacks,” Paul Blavin said.
The Blavin Bettin Scholars Program is a cornerstone program providing support that showcases academic and student success. Families like the Blavins and Bettins, who are dedicated to the longevity, continuity, and sustainability of a program, are setting a standard for holistic programs driving social impact in Arizona and beyond.
“We have had the opportunity to meet a student who was in the Blavin Bettin Scholars Program who had to pause his time at NAU but returned after program mentoring and support,” said Tuck Bettin. “Now, he’s not only succeeding in the program but received his certified nursing assistant credentials and is working at The Peaks Senior Living Community in Flagstaff.”
Get involved
By supporting the Blavin Bettin Scholars Program, donors have a phenomenal opportunity to broaden horizons in the foster care system and make a difference in the lives of exceptional students.
