What’s Happening Around Arizona
ASU Providing Free, Low-Cost Counseling Services
Appointments are now available for free and low-cost counseling services through Arizona State University’s Counseling Training Center (CTC).
The counseling program, which serves as the clinical training environment for master’s and doctoral students pursuing professional licensure in counseling and counseling psychology, is available to any student enrolled at ASU, Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, Arizona’s community colleges, and private colleges and universities throughout the state at no cost per semester.
The service is also available to Arizona adults who are not affiliated with a college or university for $100 per semester. Appointments are open now on a first-come, first-served basis, and telehealth appointments are available as well.
For more information, visit cisa.asu.edu/ctc .
Delta Dental of Arizona Earns 12th Consecutive BenchmarkPortal Center of Excellence Recognition
For the 12th year in a row, Delta Dental of Arizona has earned the Center of Excellence certification by BenchmarkPortal.
The Center of Excellence recognition is one of the customer service and support industry’s recognitions, demonstrating Delta Dental of Arizona’s commitment to providing customer care.
BenchmarkPortal awards the designation to customer service contact centers that rank in the top 10% of the contact centers surveyed nationwide, based on cost-related and quality-related metrics compared with industry peers.
In addition to this recognition, Delta Dental of Arizona’s contact center was honored in the small-size category in BenchmarkPortal’s 2026 Top Contact Centers Contest.
For more information, visit deltadentalaz.com .
Wilde Wealth Management Supports Child Crisis Arizona Preschoolers
For many children, kindergarten represents the first big milestone on the path toward lifelong learning.
This summer, Scottsdale’s Wilde Wealth Management Group helped ensure several preschool graduates from Child Crisis Arizona crossed that threshold with confidence.
Through its Wilde for Arizona Community Outreach Program, the locally owned financial services firm collected brand-new backpacks, school supplies and clothing for children completing Child Crisis Arizona’s preschool program, helping them begin elementary school prepared for success both inside and outside the classroom.
Child Crisis Arizona’s preschool program serves children ages 3 to 5 from families living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, combining early education with comprehensive family support services designed to help children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn.
For more information, visit childcrisisaz.org .
Samantha Gulick Receives Caesars Entertainment’s 2026 Trailblazer in Leadership Award
Samantha Gulick, director of marketing & operations at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Caesars Entertainment Trailblazer in Leadership Award, one of Caesars Entertainment’s highest honors recognizing leaders who demonstrate innovation, operational excellence, service and a commitment to developing others.
Gulick was recognized for her leadership, which helped Harrah’s exceed its 2025 plan. The award recognizes leaders across Caesars Entertainment’s portfolio who exemplify the organization’s core values by driving business performance, fostering an inclusive workplace culture, delivering guest service and contributing to their communities.
For more information, visit caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin .
Hotel Solaya Now Open in Old Town Scottsdale
Hotel Solaya is now open in Old Town Scottsdale, bringing a new boutique stay to the heart of the city.
Located adjacent to Scottsdale Civic Center and within walking distance of restaurants, museums and shops, the 194-room property draws inspiration from the Sonoran Desert at sunrise, blending contemporary design with Modern Mexican influences.
Guest rooms and suites feature warm wood tones and desert-inspired hues, while The Pool at Hotel Solaya offers cabanas, loungers and poolside food and drinks.
Dining options include all-day gathering spot Common Ground and signature restaurant Ella on the Park, featuring a 360-degree bar and modern American menu influenced by Southern smokehouse techniques.
Among the standout accommodations is a three-queen suite with an oversized patio, designed for girlfriend getaways and family stays.
For more information, visit hotelsolaya.com .
Alma Farrell Innovation Academy Opens in Maricopa
Construction is complete on Alma Farrell Innovation Academy, a new K-8 campus serving the growing Maricopa Unified School District.
Located at 17541 N. Sorrento Blvd., the 98,338-square-foot school was built by CHASSE Building Team and designed to accommodate up to 1,200 students.
The two-story campus features more than 40 classrooms as well as maker spaces, science labs, literacy areas, neurodiverse classrooms, a gymnasium and an indoor-outdoor amphitheater.
Flexible learning spaces support team teaching, multi-grade learning and the Arizona State University Next Education Workforce model, while a work-based learning pathway connects students with real-world experiences beginning in kindergarten.
Construction began in July 2025, with CHASSE Building Team working alongside construction manager FMG Group and architect Grace Designs to complete the yearlong project.
For more information, visit afia.musd20.org .