Carrie Morales is an Arizona native and has lived in the metropolitan area most of her life. She grew up in Tempe, thinking she would someday attend ASU as a student, however her plans were put on hold.

Morales has been employed at ASU for more than 20 years, which has helped provide a college education for her children. Her husband also works in education, and they share a passion for their children and grandchildren to succeed academically.

Their eldest grandson is autistic, and as with most families that have one or more members with special needs, their life is focused on his needs. Morales and her family are advocates of Autism Awareness and hope for a cure for all autism spectrum disorders.

In the meantime, they spend as much time as possible with their afflicted grandson and all of their other grandchildren. Carrie plans to start online classes in the summer of 2013, and hopes to earn a degree in social work.