Earn an in-demand college degree. Check. Graduate debt-free. Check. Land a great job after graduation. Check again! Join us in congratulating our newest Project Engineer, Jessica Gonzalez. Her journey is highlighted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in this new video.

Jessica, who joined Loven Contracting as an intern, was born in Yuma and moved back and forth between the US and Mexico for most of her childhood. She has worked hard to carve out a brighter future for herself and her family.

Achieving Economic Mobility

New data from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shows three key factors foster economic mobility. They are: an affordable college education, a strong work ethic, and a degree with real market value. Northern Arizona University, where Jessica earned her civil engineering degree, has made equitable value and economic mobility a central part of its mission. In other words, NAU is “redefining the value of a college degree,” foundation co-chair Bill Gates said in a post on his blog.

Because of NAU’s commitment to fostering economic mobility, Gates visited Flagstaff and studied NAU’s efforts to make a college education more attainable for indigenous students and those from households with incomes of less than $65,000 a year. Despite countless requests over the years, Gates delivered only the third commencement address of his career this month in Flagstaff. (His other two commencement addresses were at ivy-league colleges: Harvard in 2007 and Stanford in 2014.

From College Intern to Project Manager

Like Gates, Jessica is a fan of NAU. The university was a great match for her and her goals, she says, and she was able to graduate debt-free. “I feel very proud to be graduating from a university that encourages students to pursue degrees that have value,” she says. What’s next for this bright young adult?  “I want to use my civil engineering degree to give back to my family and my community because I’ve been helped in many ways.”

As part of Loven Contracting’s mentor-led internship program, Jessica said she learned about every aspect of the construction process – from preconstruction to construction and beyond – and had the opportunity to gain real-world experience.

As a Project Engineer at Loven Contracting, Jessica will be working in a team setting to support the project management process and exceed customer expectations in both process and product. “During the internship, I realized that I love the collaborative nature of being a project engineer,” she says. “And, at the same time, I fell in love with the company.”

With pleasant summertime temperatures, an extensive trail system and a picturesque setting, Flagstaff has long been a mecca of outdoor activity. With its elevation of nearly 7,000 feet, it’s also one of the most popular destinations in the world for runners and Olympic-level athletes who use high-altitude training to increase performance. In fact, athletes training in Flagstaff have earned an estimated 350+ medals at Olympic events since 1996.

At Loven Contracting, we’re proud to be the title sponsor of the 19th Annual Flagstaff Running Series, which brings together five different high-altitude running events from June 17 to August 12. The series attracts runners from across the state and the Southwest to the city each summer.

Many of the races feature Olympians and elite athletes who enjoy the camaraderie of running with Flagstaff residents, says volunteer organizer Neil Weintraub. The series provides a number of family-friendly options for people of all ages and abilities, with 5k/10k walking options, a 2-mile run, Kid’s Dashes and virtual runs.

The series benefits nonprofit community organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff, Northland Hospice and Footprints for Hopi, which distributes food, hygiene items, clothing, and other necessities to Hopi people. At Loven Contracting, we support 30+ nonprofit community organizations and support events like the Flagstaff Running Series to help improve lives and build neighborhoods.

Here is this year’s lineup:

June 17th – Northland Hospice Run for Life 5K/10K/Kid’s Fun Run. This event offers the choice of running or walking a 5K or 10K. There’s also a run designed for children and virtual 5k and 10k options. Proceeds raised from this event is earmarked for Northland Hospice’s patient assistance fund, which provides end-of-life comfort care regardless of ability to pay.

July 4th – Team Run Flagstaff Downtown Mile and Kid’s Dash. Presented by Team Run Flagstaff and the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, this event includes six different race options and a Kid’s Race.

July 29 – Hopi Footprints 2-mile Fun Run/Walk or 10K. Run the 10K or participate in the 2-mile Fun Run/Walk to help support Hopi Relief’s efforts to deliver much-needed supplies to Hopi people.

August 5th – Machine Solutions Soldiers Trail Run 5K/10K/Kid’s Dash. This event features in-person and virtual 2K, 5K and 10Ks – run or walk! There’s also a Kid’s Dash. All proceeds from this event benefits Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Children’s Health Center.

August 12th – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff (BBBSF) Half Marathon/5K/Kid’s Dash. Run in a half marathon or participate in a 5K Fun Run. For children, there’s a Kid’s Dash.

While participants can register for individual races, signing up for the entire series offers a number of benefits such as discounted pricing compared with signing up for individual events. (The series is a great deal even if you plan to participate in only four of the five events).  In addition to receiving each race’s shirt, adult series participants also receive Flagstaff Running Series socks and those running at least four of the five races will once again earn a Pizzicletta Pizza.