Top 10 Arizona State University Notable Alumni

Arizona State University's notable alumni are making waves across industries, from Hollywood executives to Pulitzer Prize winners. Discover the inspiring top 10 Arizona State University notable alumni and how they have shaped the world through innovation, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

One of the top US universities, Arizona State University usually makes it among the top 100 universities globally. Recognised for its unmatched education, research and innovation, ASU has witnessed many popular names who have graduated. At present, Arizona State University alumni association includes 650,000+ alumni. Surprisingly, ASU is among some of the highest acceptance rate universities in USA. In 2024, Arizona State University's acceptance rate was 90.1%; thus, admissions at ASU are easy, but applicants must be competitive and have good academic and standardised test scores. 

In case applicants want to take up courses at ASU just like some of the popular alumni, they can go for it. We will discuss about some of the Arizona State University notable alumni in detail in this article. Their inspiring stories can help applicants evolve and motivate them to become another Arizona State University famous alumni. 

Top 10 Arizona State University Notable Alumni

Here is the Arizona State University alumni list for applicants looking at some of the popular names: 

1. Michael Burns 

Michael Burns an Arizona State University alumni is a popular name in the entertainment sector. He was the Vice Chairman of Lionsgate Entertainment. Burns has shaped Lionsgate into a top international entertainment company. During his tenure, Lionsgate got success with film series like - The Hunger Games and Twilight. Burns, has also been awarded for his impact on media and entertainment industry and received multiple awards for his efforts.

2. Christine Devine

Christine Devine is an award-winning television news anchor and reporter in Los Angeles. Devine holds a degree from ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is also an Arizona State University famous alumni popular for her work in broadcasting journalism. She has received several Emmy Awards for her professional achievements and is honoured for her campaigns on social matters. Devine's career, as a trailblazer is an inspiration to budding journalists across the globe. 

3. Matthew Desmond

Matthew Desmond, a renowned sociologist and writer, is most famous for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Desmond's work sheds light on the effects of eviction on poverty and the lives of low-income renters. An Arizona State University notable alumni, Desmond became a professor at Princeton University, where he continues to shape the conversation around housing policy and social justice. His contributions to understanding poverty have earned him widespread acclaim and recognition.

4. Mary Temple Grandin

Mary Temple Grandin is among the world's top researchers on animal behaviour and a vocal supporter for people with autism. She is also an Arizona State University famous alumni. Currently, she is a professor at Colorado State University and teaches Animal Science but also a proud ASU alumna, where she majored in psychology. Grandin's work on humane livestock handling systems broke new ground and transformed the agriculture sector. She is also renowned for her advocacy in assisting others with autism, drawing from her experience to promote broader understanding and compassion.

5. Aaron Matos

Aaron Matos is an entrepreneurial success and founder of Jobing.com, a top regional online job search site in the United States. Matos, an Arizona State University alumni, took his vision and turned it into a pioneering business that brought job seekers together with employers in the Phoenix region. His entrepreneurial vision and work in the tech and business industries have established him as one of the world's leading figures in digital business innovation.

6. Vada Manager

A Vada Manager is an Arizona State University notable alumni and leader in global business strategy and a member of APCO's International Advisory Council in crisis management, corporate governance, and brand marketing. He is the founder of Manager Global Holdings LLC, a diversified investment and corporate advisory firm, and a minor co-owner of the NBA franchise. Manager's career has involved significant roles for well-known corporations such as Nike and Levi Strauss & Co. At Nike, he was senior director of global issues management and was responsible for crises of athlete issues, product recalls, and global sourcing practices. Manager is credited for company growth through support of nike.com launch and new acquisitions of Converse and Starter brands.

7. Harriet Nembhard

Harriet Nembhard is a respected academic leader in engineering. Nembhard, the dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa, has contributed significantly to the area of engineering education and research. While she is Arizona State University notable alumni, industrial engineering is Nembhard's forte; thus, her commitment in mentoring the next generation of engineers gives her great intellectual authority in academia. Through academic leadership, Nembhard guides future generations of scientists into STEM professions.

8. Brenda Strong

Brenda Strong is a talented actress best known for her memorable roles in Desperate Housewives and Dallas. Another Arizona State University notable alumni, Strong has built quite a following during her acting career and continues to be one of the most respected actresses in Hollywood. Outside of acting, Brenda is an ardent supporter of environmental causes and mental health awareness, using her influence to help others to see the value of fighting the fight.

9. Kate Spade

Kate Spade was a fashion designer and the most influential one. She founded Kate Spade New York. The story of Spade, who was once an Arizona State University graduate, to a creator of a brand recognized all over the world, has left a mark on the fashion industry. The designer's pieces, which were characterised by an adventurous and vivid colour palette, changed women's accessories, specifically handbags, for good. Although Spade is gone, her brand, which is such a constant presence in the fashion world as a source of inspiration and women's empowerment, still carries her name.

10. Jeffrey Bewkes

Jeffrey Bewkes is a distinguished business executive who served as the CEO of Time Warner (now WarnerMedia) from 2008 to 2018 and also Arizona State University famous alumni. Bewkes graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Economics and became a decidedly successful media and entertainment executive. Under his leadership, Time Warner became one of the world's largest and most influential media conglomerates. Key mergers and acquisitions were completed during Bewkes's administration, including the acquisition of HBO; Time Warner played such a significant role in the growth of digital media. He is known for being able to hold the company well and mould the future of the media sector, making him one of the most prominent business figures to emerge from the ASU field.

Arizona State University alumni have made their everlasting marks around the globe, making excellent records in various fields. Whether in entertainment, business, academia, or social advocacy, they have proved that an ASU education is a foundation for remarkable achievement. They inspire generations of Sun Devils to dream big, work hard, and effect a positive change in the world.  

As these distinguished Arizona State University notable alumni demonstrate, that Arizona State University is not just a place of learning but a launchpad for those who seek to create lasting impact in their fields. Want to apply at Arizona State University? Sign up for our free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and get expert guidance from our team of counsellors.