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Arizona D-backs and SM������ name inaugural recipient of "D-backs for Change" Scholarship

Full tuition scholarship collaboration was created for D-backs employee opportunity

The Arizona Diamondbacks and SM������ have named the inaugural recipient of the collaborative “D-backs for Change” scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship for a bachelor's degree available to a D-backs employee to pursue a higher education and work towards career mobility.

Barb Ray, D-backs’ Coordinator, Event Security is the inaugural recipient of the scholarship, which will allow her the opportunity to complete her dream of a higher education degree.

“We are grateful to all of the applicants who took a serious interest in this tremendous opportunity and are honored to work with SM������ to provide real opportunities for individuals to pursue a higher education and their dreams,” stated Derrick Hall, D-backs President & CEO.

is the organization’s business and community initiative that seeks to level the playing field for our Team Players and community members by:

• Making an unequivocal commitment to improving organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion, and putting a robust plan in place and taking the necessary steps to do so.
• Seeking to improve the lives of those who have been and continue to be disadvantaged as a result of systemic social injustice, such as racism, sexism, homophobia and discrimination of all kinds.

“I want to first congratulate Barb Ray on being the inaugural recipient of this full tuition scholarship,” stated John Woods, Ph.D., chief academic officer and provost of SM������. “We’re grateful to work with the Arizona Diamondbacks to make more scholarship opportunities accessible to working adults like Ms. Ray and we look forward to supporting her in her academic journey.”

SM������ offers career-relevant education, personal support and flexible, on-demand learning opportunities for working adults — all with fixed, affordable tuition and options to save time and money. Scholarships are effective and highly desirable sources of financial support for students because they typically do not require repayment. SM������ offers more than 100 online programs aligned to 300+ real-world occupations. SM������ includes 7 specialized, career-focused colleges, with over 100 degree and certificate options — 80% of which are in high-growth fields. SM������ has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1978, which means programs meet rigorous academic standards.

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About the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks provide industry-leading entertainment in a clean, safe and family-friendly environment and make a positive impact on its fans and civic partners. Their mission is guided by the Circle of Success: team performance, fan experience, financial efficiency, workplace culture, and community contribution. The D-backs’ pinnacle on-field moments include their 2001 World Series title and 5 National League West division titles. Since being established in 1997, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation has donated over $75 million in charitable contributions to the Arizona community. The team established D-backs for Change to level the playing field with an unequivocal commitment to improving organizational diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeking to improve the lives of those who have been and continue to be disadvantaged as a result of systemic social injustice. The club, established in 1995 and whose inaugural season was in 1998, plays their home games in downtown Phoenix at Chase Field, the first Major League Baseball stadium to feature a pool as well as a retractable roof over a natural-grass playing surface (now synthetic grass). For more information, please visit and and connect on social media via @Dbacks and @LosDbacks.

About SM������

SM������ is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life® help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.��