MCC Graduates On May 10, Mesa Community College will recognize the accomplishments of graduates for the 2012-13 academic year at a commencement ceremony in the campus courtyard of MCC’s Southern and Dobson campus. The processional begins at 7:15 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:30 p.m. The general public is invited.

The commencement speaker will be Maria Hesse, who serves as Vice Provost for Academic Partnerships at Arizona State University. She helps create and sustain productive relationships with community colleges and other institutions on behalf of students who wish to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Prior to that, Hesse served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She holds Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from ASU. She has Master and Doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and is a graduate of the Harvard Institute for Educational Management.

Joining Hesse at the podium will be student speaker Sahba Zaare. Zaare is a Mathematics/Physics major (Pre-Med) who plans to transfer to Arizona State University. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the MCC Honors Program. Zaare is the recipient of many awards, including Chancellor’s Scholar, the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and is a winner in the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges national math contest.

Zaare said, “I arrived in America as a refugee approximately 3.5 years ago. Today, I am deeply grateful for my experiences at MCC, my involvement in PTK, and my dedication to community volunteer service, all of which have affected profound and lasting improvements in my life.”

2012-13 Graduation Statistics:

Total number of graduates for the summer, fall and spring semesters:  2,541

Number of graduates participating in the commencement ceremony:  550

Number of degrees issued:  4,514

Top 5 degrees:

Arizona General Education Curriculum Certificates:  1,440

Associate in Arts Degrees:  1,050

Certificates of Completion within an occupational field:  760

Associate in Applied Science Degrees:  684

Associate in General Studies Degree: 159

Specialized Ceremonies:

Nursing Ceremony, May 6, 7 p.m., Mesa Arts Center.

Dental Hygiene Ceremony, May 8, 6:30 p.m., Red Mountain Campus, Community Room.

Mortuary Science Ceremony, May 9, 10 a.m., Southern and Dobson, Event Tent.

Fire Academy Graduation, May 8, 6 p.m., MCC’s Downtown Center.

A website about MCC’s Graduation Ceremony is available at http://www.mesacc.edu/graduation/ and includes information about the event such as maps and parking, photography, regalia, and special accommodations.

Although every graduate has a tale to tell of the path that led them to this moment, we’ve shared a few special success stories here: http://www.mesacc.edu/graduation/graduation-success-stories/spring-2013-stories

Check out MCC graduation photos on the MCC Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/mesacc

About Mesa Community College

Mesa Community College provides outstanding transfer and career and technical programs, workforce development, and life-long learning opportunities to residents of the East Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona. MCC excels in teaching, learning and empowering its more than 40,000 students to succeed in a local and global community.  Mesa Community College is one of ten colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District.

Please direct media inquiries to Sally Mesarosh at mesarosh@mesacc.edu or the Office of Institutional Advancement at 480-461-7445.  IA website:  www.mesacc.edu/ia.