MCC eLearning team: Laura Ballard, Stephanie Williams and Ryan Matthews MESA, Arizona – February 25, 2021 — Mesa Community College (MCC) secures a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) for students who live in a state outside Arizona while working to earn a degree. The agreement, through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), is effective through January 2022 and may be renewed annually.

“We are passionate about removing barriers to education,” said MCC eLearning director, Laura Ballard. “Our participation in SARA allows us to serve our students who may have had to relocate during the pandemic or due to other life factors. The agreement includes out-of-state students intending to move to Arizona who wish to begin their education at MCC prior to relocation. With NC-SARA, students from all 50 states may attend MCC online.

NC-SARA was established to develop and implement an effective and efficient reciprocal state-level authorization process for postsecondary distance education. Its mission is to provide broad access to postsecondary education opportunities to students across the country; to increase the quality and value of higher learning credentials earned via distance education; and to assure students are well served in a rapidly changing education landscape.

MCC has offered online classes for decades and now has a variety of Z Courses, which feature zero textbook fees. In 2019 MCC launched a Z Degree, the Arizona general Education Curriculum (AGEC). This associate’s degree may be earned completely online with no textbook fees.

There are more than 100 Flex Start online classes starting in March. Flex Start classes start after the traditional semester start date and may be viewed at mesacc.edu/spring.

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu or 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses, additional locations and a combination of online formats. Through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, MCC is transforming how it champions student success, college completion, university transfer and career attainment and advancement. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution and nearly 50% of its students are the first in their families to attend college. Its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized tribes of Arizona as well as out-of-state tribes. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The diverse student body includes more than 300 international students from 55 countries. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to successfully transfer to a university or compete in the workforce. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.