NAU has named its College of Nursing the Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing in recognition of a recent gift from longtime NAU supporters Maria and Steve Sanghi. One of the largest gifts since publicly launching Elevate, NAU’s $300 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, the investment will strengthen nursing education, expand student and faculty support, and help address Arizona’s critical nursing workforce shortage.
The gift establishes new funds to support academic excellence, career readiness, leadership development, and faculty impact across the college and creates a distinguished deanship to provide sustained leadership and strategic support.
The naming of the College of Nursing marks the Sanghis’ second named college at NAU. In October 2024, Maria and Steve Sanghi named the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering, further demonstrating their deep commitment to advancing access, excellence and workforce preparation across multiple high-need fields in Arizona.
“Maria and I have always believed that caring for people is at the center of strong communities. Nursing embodies that belief every day. It is an honor to partner with Northern Arizona University to support nursing education and to help prepare compassionate, skilled professionals who will care for patients and families throughout Arizona.”
STEVE SANGHI CEO Microchip, NAU Foundation Board Director, author, philanthropist
Meeting the state’s demand
Arizona is experiencing the largest nursing workforce shortage in the country. The state faces an estimated 30,000-nurse deficit, and nearly three million residents lack reliable access to primary care, with rural, Tribal, and low-income communities hit hardest. NAU’s College of Nursing plays a critical role in addressing this challenge by preparing students with the clinical expertise, cultural responsiveness, and leadership skills needed to serve where the need is greatest. Eighty percent of NAU nursing graduates remain in Arizona after graduation, helping strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce.
“Healthcare is essential to Arizona’s prosperity and to the well-being of our communities,” NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera said. “Through this extraordinary investment, Maria and Steve Sanghi are helping NAU expand access to high-quality nursing education and prepare the next generation of nurses who will serve our state for years to come—strengthening care and opportunity in communities across Arizona, from our population centers to rural, Tribal, and underserved regions.”
Investing in NAU students and faculty
The gift also advances NAU’s broader philanthropic vision by investing directly in students and faculty.
“Philanthropy has the power to change lives at scale, and this gift exemplifies that impact,” said Nick Lobejko, Vice President of Advancement and CEO of the NAU Foundation. “The Sanghis’ continued leadership and generosity strengthen the foundation of nursing education at NAU and will inspire future philanthropic investments in the healthcare workforce Arizona urgently needs.”
Maria and Steve Sanghi Distinguished Dean
The gift establishes the Maria and Steve Sanghi Distinguished Deanship of Nursing, now held by Dean Janina Johnson. The deanship provides flexible support for strategic priorities, including student success initiatives, faculty scholarship and professional development, academic programming, and leadership advancement.
“The Sanghis’ investment allows us to elevate every aspect of the student and faculty experience,” said Johnson. “From preparing students for complex clinical environments to supporting faculty innovation and scholarship, this gift strengthens our ability to educate confident, compassionate nurses for generations to come.”
A new, purpose-built facility
Building on this momentum, the university is moving forward with plans for a new College of Nursing facility that will allow enrollment to grow by up to two and a half times while expanding hands-on clinical training opportunities. Together, the naming of the Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing and future investments in facilities, faculty, and programs position NAU to meet Arizona’s healthcare workforce needs now and into the future.
“A modern, purpose-built facility will allow us to expand enrollment, strengthen clinical partnerships, and prepare more nurses to serve Arizona’s communities,” said NAU College of Nursing Dean Janina Johnson. “The impact will be immediate and far-reaching, with more qualified graduates entering the workforce, more access to care for rural and underserved populations, and a stronger healthcare system across the state.”
Healthcare is essential to Arizona’s prosperity and to the well-being of our communities. Through this extraordinary investment, Maria and Steve Sanghi are helping NAU expand access to high-quality nursing education and prepare the next generation of nurses who will serve our state for years to come—strengthening care and opportunity in communities across Arizona, from our population centers to rural, Tribal, and underserved regions.
José Luis Cruz Rivera NAU President
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Elevate the campus experience
NAU’s new 40,000-square-foot College of Nursing facility will be a vibrant, student-centered space featuring modern classrooms, advanced simulation labs, and inviting, collaborative spaces. The new home for the college will support academic excellence, create a sense of belonging among our students, and serve as a gathering place for faculty, students, and community partners alike. Most importantly, it will allow us to expand enrollment to meet Arizona’s growing demand for skilled nurses.
Support the new College of Nursing building today.
