Notable and famous alumni

A legacy of recognized success, a record of transformative achievement

ASU has inspired a half-million master learners, alumni who thrive in nearly every country in the world. ASU graduates have generated headlines and helped solve society’s great challenges, in disciplines from the sciences to the arts, from sustainability to entrepreneurship and every category in between.

The alumni list is populated by international government leaders; U.S. governors, congressmen and senators; founders of companies; military-service pioneers; researchers in medicine, technology and sustainability; groundbreaking entrepreneurs, pioneering educators; entertainers and more.

Anthony Robles

’11 BIS in interdisciplinary studies

Robles is an NCAA wrestling champion, an ESPY Award recipient, an author, a motivational speaker and an ESPN analyst.

Petra Pardi

’15 BA in psychology, ’18 MEd in higher and postsecondary education

Pardi is the head coach of the ASU water polo program and a former Sun Devil student-athlete. She competed for ASU and earned All-America honors before returning to the program as a coach and being named head coach in 2022.

Ed Pastor

’66 BA in chemistry, ’74 JD in law

Pastor served as a U.S. congressman representing Arizona’s 7th, 4th and 2nd districts during a quarter-century of service on Capitol Hill from 1991 to 2015.

Greg Powers

’99 BS in broadcast journalism

Powers is the head coach of ASU’s NCAA Division I hockey program and has led the team through its transition into a nationally competitive program. Under his leadership, the Sun Devils have achieved milestone seasons, including conference success and NCAA tournament contention, while establishing a strong presence in college hockey.

Edward “Joe” Shoen

’81 JD in law

Shoen is a businessman and philanthropist who serves as president and chairman of Amerco, as well as chairman and CEO of U-Haul. He was named the ASU W. P. Carey School of Business Executive of the Year in 2017.

Kyrsten Sinema

’99 MSW in social work, ’04 JD, ’12 PhD in justice studies

Sinema is the senior U.S. senator for Arizona and a former U.S. congresswoman representing Arizona’s 9th district. She previously served in the Arizona Senate and the Arizona House and was named Legislator of the Year three times.

Kate Spade

’85 BA in broadcasting

Spade is a two-time Council of Fashion Designers of America award winner. She is a businesswoman and co-founder of Kate Spade New York.

Brenda Strong

’82 BA in music performance

Strong is most known for her role in “Desperate Housewives,” where she won the Screen Actors Guild Award twice and was nominated for an Emmy Award for her voice-over performance.

Ayọ Tometi

’10 MA in communication and advocacy

Tometi is a human rights activist and author. She co-founded the #BlackLivesMatter movement and is a former executive director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration.

Matt Thurmond

’22 MALM (Master of Applied Leadership Management)

Thurmond is the current Sun Devil Men’s Golf head coach and a former University of Washington Men’s Golf head coach. He was inducted into the GCAA Hall of Fame in 2024.

Pat Tillman

’97 BS in Marketing

Tillman played for the NFL Arizona Cardinals from 1998-2001. Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he left a successful NFL career to join the Army. He was a decorated Army specialist, having earned 14 military awards and decorations.

Danny White

’95 BS in agribusiness

White is a former All-Pro Dallas Cowboys quarterback and a two-time Arena Football League champion head coach. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997. He also served as a Sun Devil Athletics consultant.