SANDWEG WILL FIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND STUDENTS
Why I'm Running
I'm dedicated to ensuring that every student and community has the opportunity to thrive. My mission is to foster an environment where educational and community resources are abundantly accessible, empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential. By prioritizing collaboration and open communication, I aim to create positive changes that uplift our communities, ensuring that no one is left behind. Join me in making a difference—together, we can build a bright future for all.
My Priorities
01
Tuition Freeze
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02
Educator Raises
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03
Facilities Upgrades
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Experience
I am a long-time Phoenix small business owner and community advocate who co-founded Copper Star Coffee in the Melrose District in 2006. I’m a strong supporter of local businesses and economic development, and I have served on multiple city commissions focused on strengthening community engagement and supporting small businesses. I have also taken creative writing courses at Phoenix College and have seen firsthand the impact of Maricopa Community Colleges through my daughter’s participation in the dual enrollment program. I am deeply committed to expanding educational pathways for students and families and bring energy, optimism, and a strong belief in the Maricopa Community Colleges.
Meet Bill
Bill Sandweg is a lifelong Arizonan, small business owner, and community leader running for the Maricopa Community College District Governing Board because he believes affordable education and workforce training are essential to Arizona’s future.
Born and raised in the Valley, Bill grew up in Tempe and comes from a family that has called Central Arizona home for nearly a century. From camping and fishing trips across the state to hiking the mountains of Phoenix, Arizona’s communities, landscapes, and people helped shape his values of hard work, service, and lifelong learning.
Bill has spent nearly 40 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry. He started working at age 16 at Taco Bell and from there, built a career managing restaurants, coffeehouses, and hospitality teams before becoming the owner of Copper Star Coffee, a beloved neighborhood gathering place in Phoenix. Throughout his career, Bill learned the importance of teamwork, accountability, customer service, budgeting, and leadership—skills he continues to use every day as a business owner and employer.
A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Psychology, Bill has long believed that education creates opportunity. His connection to the Maricopa Community Colleges spans decades. As a student, he earned college credit while still in high school, took classes at Rio Salado College and Phoenix College, and completed professional certifications through the district. As an employer, he has hired and worked alongside countless graduates whose education helped launch successful careers. His own daughter earned an associate degree through Rio Salado College, saving both time and money on her path to a four-year degree.
Bill believes the Maricopa Community Colleges are among the finest community college systems in the nation and serve as a critical engine for workforce development and economic opportunity. As a Governing Board member, he will work to ensure the district remains affordable, accessible, and focused on helping students, families, and employers succeed.