Sustainability Initiatives

Initiatives List

Mesa Community College is a nationally-recognized leader in sustainability. Learn more about our current projects and how you can get involved as a student, volunteer, or community member.

Arboretum

Desert plants and trees on campus.Explore the MCC Arboretum, an accredited Tree Campus, where plant species from around the world create a dynamic, living lab for student learning, research, and volunteer opportunities.

Learn more about the Arboretum

Center for Urban Agriculture

The campus greenhouse from outside.Explore a career pathway in sustainable agriculture and gain experience in managing a sustainable greenhouse, an urban farm, food crop production and aquaponics.

Learn more about the center

Electronics Recycling

MCC offers an electronics recycling bin at the Southern and Dobson campus.

Learn more about electronics recycling

Electric Vehicle Technology

An electric vehicle in the shop.MCC’s Automotive Service Program helps students super-charge a future in the Electric Vehicle industry with a hands-on intensive training course in electric and hybrid vehicles and exciting opportunities like National Drive Electric Month to explore the benefits of sustainable transportation.

Learn more about EV training

Solar Energy Construction

Two workers in front of a solar panel.With Arizona’s growing solar industry, MCC is the place to launch your career in solar energy construction. You’ll learn the fundamentals in tools, skills and electrical theory for the solar industry while gaining real-world experience working in MCC’s new Construction Trades Laydown Yard.

Learn more about the solar energy certificate

MCC Sustainability Committee

Large leafy trees.Students join forces with faculty and staff as part of MCC’s Sustainability Committee! Help shape the future by driving campus initiatives, building community resilience, and preparing for Arizona’s growing green economy. Develop skills in stakeholder leadership and community engagement. Contact Committee Chair Chris McNeal for more information.

Email the committee chair

Mesa Market

Food cans on two shelves.Supported by generous donations and a partnership with the United Food Bank, the market offers free food and personal care items to students. The CARE team also hosts monthly distribution events open to students, staff, and the wider community, empowering us to take meaningful action against food insecurity.

Learn more about the market

Certified Wildlife Habitat

Outdoor Cienega with a pond and plants.Experience the certified National Wildlife Habitat at MCC’s Red Mountain campus. The Cienega at Red Mountain is an outdoor living lab where students explore sustainability through hands-on learning in biology, geography, art, and more. Surrounded by desert wildlife, students can engage with the natural environment, study plant adaptations, track microclimates, and more.

Learn more about the wildlife certification

Center for Community and Civic Engagement

Brochures for the VolunteerFest event.Connect with your community and learn skills to help address the systemic causes of social inequity. Volunteer, earn credit, and obtain service scholarships and leadership recognition. You can connect with organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, AZ Strut, GreenLight Solutions, Arizona Audubon, Mesa Urban Farm, and A New Leaf.

Learn more about service learning