Hall of Fame Honorees
2023 Outstanding Athlete
Brandi Steinke White was named MCC Female Athlete of the Year in 2005. She led the women’s basketball team in points, rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage. Captain of the team both years at MCC, she was First Team All American, First Team All ACCAC, First Team All Conference, plus ACCAC and NJCCA Player of the Week multiple times. She went on to Grand Canyon University where she led the... Read more about Brandi Steinke White
2023 Excellence in Teaching
Carole Drachler, Ph.D., earned her notable reputation as an arts professor, acclaimed art historian, and lecturer over a four decades’ career beginning at University of Michigan. During her 26 years at MCC, she served as chair of the Fine Arts Committee and contributed to the legacy of fine arts on campus by selecting gallery works and the placement of art throughout the college as well as... Read more about Carole Drachler
2023 Outstanding Athlete
Douglas Lewis, M.A., joined the MCC basketball team for the 1985-86 season. He was the starting point guard for the outstanding 1986-87 team, which won the conference and regional championships and finished in third place at the NJCAA championships. He was all-conference and all-region both years he played at MCC and also was ranked among the top five point guards in the league. He continued... Read more about Douglas Lewis
2023 Alumni Achievement
Gary Ernst, the winningest high school basketball coach in Arizona history, played basketball at Mesa Community College and went on to coach high school boys basketball for decades. Thirty-eight of those coaching years were in Arizona, leading teams to state titles over four decades. Inducted into the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame and the Mountain View Toros Hall of Fame, he... Read more about Gary Ernst
2023 Outstanding Coach
In 2001, John Guerrero began coaching a remarkable MCC women’s golf team that won the ACCAC and NJCAA Region I Titles 21 times, qualified for the NJCAA tournament 22 times, and held 10 top five finishes and 21 top 10 finishes at the NJCAA National Championships. For 20 years the MCC team was the top D2 team at Nationals. John received 21 ACCAC Coach of the Year awards and 22 student athletes have... Read more about John Guerrero
2023 Excellence in Teaching
Kara Thomson is faculty head of the Design and Technical Theatre program she created in the MCC Department of Theatre and Film Arts. In 2002, she brought to MCC nearly a decade of art direction, scene design, production, and consulting experience from Hollywood, major theaters across the nation, television, and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre. Kara has designed for many theater... Read more about Kara Thomson
2023 Outstanding Athlete
Keith Smith was a leader on campus and on the legendary MCC 1973 National Football Championship team. Keith completed the most tackles, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries. That year, the team also beat Iowa Central 10-6 in the Sunkist Bowl in Yuma, Arizona. Keith earned ACCAC First Team All-Conference and First Team All-American honors. He shared that being part of the championship team and... Read more about Keith Smith
2023 Distinguished MCC Staff
As Box Office Coordinator, Marisa Estrada has been vital to the success of the MCC Theatre Arts as well as the Music and Dance departments. Over the course of 23 years, Marisa has performed her job tirelessly for all three departments to make certain each production is presented professionally. She arranges the promotion, sets up ticket software, and provides supervision for theatre, dance, and... Read more about Marisa Estrada
2023 Alumni Achievement
Michele D. Johnson is one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers as chair of the Litigation Department at the globally prestigious law firm of Latham & Watkins. Her super achiever character blossomed while attending Mesa Community College and continuing on to ASU and the Georgetown University Law Center. She has been recognized among the Top 100 Lawyers in California by the Daily Journal and... Read more about Michele Johnson
2023 Alumni Achievement
Mike VanZutphen turned his youthful tennis passion into a lifetime career of coaching, certifying tennis teaching professionals, and executive directing sports organizations. His reputation for training players from the junior ranks to the world class tier is renowned. Among his students have been a Junior Wimbledon Champion, two NCAA Singles Champions, five High School 5A Singles Champions, and... Read more about Mike VanZutphen
2023 Service
Monica Torres is the founder of the global company NXT Generation Mortuary Support, which, in 2019, was one of the first deathcare firms to offer online education for embalmers. After graduating from MCC in 2010 with an Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science, she has become one of the funeral industry’s most sought-after speakers, is one of fewer than 10 expert-level professionals in the USA... Read more about Monica Torres
2023 Outstanding Athlete
Sarah Moravitz, M.Ed., came to MCC with skills from the boys’ and girls’ all-state championship teams at McClintock High School where she also ran varsity track and played varsity softball. Sarah was on the inaugural MCC women’s soccer team in 1996 and on the ACCAC First Team. The MCC 1997 team won the ACCAC Championship. Both seasons, she was named Junior College All-American, team captain, MVP... Read more about Sarah Moravitz
2023 Outstanding Athlete
Thomas Watkins is an all-time leading scorer in MCC basketball history with 1,166 points and 261 assists. Playing on the 1997-98 MCC Region 1 Championship team, Thomas was ACCAC Freshman of the Year, 1998-1999 ACCAC 1st Team All Conference, and 1998-1999 NJCAA All-American. He was also on the ACCAC 1997 Second Team and 1998 First Team. He was recruited to play at Iowa State University during the... Read more about Thomas Watkins
2022 Excellence in Teaching
Charles Evans was the very first theatre arts professor at the newly named Mesa Community College in 1966. Charles directed productions in venues on and off campus. A one-man show, he was the producer, director, teacher, production manager, and technical supervisor. More than 30 productions took the stage over his decades at MCC. The Navajo Room presented many shows until 1970 when the “stage”... Read more about Charles Keith Evans
2022 Outstanding Athlete
Dave Collins' love of baseball launched a 16-year Major League Baseball career. His South Dakota high school didn’t have a baseball team because snow and ice covered the fields during the season. He honed his skills during warmer months playing on the American Legion Post 22 baseball team.
Fortunately, Dave became a Thunderbird and All American on the MCC 1971 NJCAA national championship team,... Read more about Dave Collins
2022 Alumni Achievement
Dennis Pirch attended Mesa Community College from 1966 to 1968, and earned an Associate of Arts degree while competing on MCC’s inaugural wrestling team led by Coach Joe Nix. A starter at 145 pounds, as a sophomore Dennis qualified for the junior college national tournament. With a goal to coach, which back then required a teaching certificate, Dennis sought and received an athletic scholarship... Read more about Dennis Pirch
2022 Alumni Achievement
Dr. Aaron Franklin is a Duke University Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Chemistry. He has authored over 100 publications, holds more than 50 patents, and has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences and lectures. Aaron served as general chair of the international Device Research Conference in 2018. He earned the Capers & Marion McDonald Award for Excellence in... Read more about Dr. Aaron Franklin
2022 Alumni Achievement
Gerardo de los Santos, Ph.D. was inducted into the 2022 American Association of Community College's Hall of Fame. He is a renowned leader in higher education attainment strategies. Gerardo recently accepted a position as vice president for Community College Relations at National University, a network of California-based nonprofit educational institutions focusing on a holistic approach to student... Read more about Dr. Gerardo E. de los Santos
2022 Alumni Achievement
Jacob Chavez is recognized for innovative K-12 diversity programs, teacher support, parental engagement, and community engagement. He has raised the achievement bar for schools, teachers, and students throughout the state. His many awards include the Maryvale Revitalization Educating Excellence Award, National Center for Education Achievement Awards, Outstanding Latino Leader from Cox... Read more about Dr. Jacob A. Chavez
2022 Distinguished MCC Staff
Greg Reents is a United States Air Force veteran and global advocate for cultural diversity. His heartfelt mission has focused on veterans, foster youth, marginalized communities, and adult learners. His personal experiences shape the compassion and empathy that are hallmarks of his endeavors fostering student success.
Greg began his career at MCC in 2003 as the director of Student Life and... Read more about Greg Reents
2022 Outstanding Athlete
Michelle Amete-Saleaumua has won more All American awards than any other Mesa Community College athlete, scoring 10 Track & Field awards in hammer, discus, weight, and shot put. She broke the MCC school indoor weight throw mark and established a new junior college national record in the hammer throw with a toss of 189 feet. In 2005, she scored 25 of her team’s 47 points in three events at the... Read more about Michelle Amete-Saleaumua
2022 Outstanding Athlete
Mike Brown was a star basketball and football player at the Würzburg American High School in Germany. Former Arizona State University basketball player Ron Johnson, who was coaching a professional German team in Germany, saw Brown play and asked him to join the team. Johnson had coached a Maricopa Community Colleges team and put Brown in touch with Mesa Community College Coach Tom Bennett to help... Read more about Mike Brown
2022 Alumni Achievement
Tommy Arviso, Jr.’s experience on the college’s Mesa Legend student newspaper led him to a nationally acclaimed career in journalism. Tommy is of the Near the Water Clan, born for the Sage Brush Hill Clan. His maternal clan is Water’s Edge and his paternal clan is Sleep Rock People. By developing the diverse voice he brought to the MCC college paper, he set a global standard for American Indian... Read more about Tommy Arviso Jr.
2021 Excellence in Teaching
In an impressive career that has spanned nearly 30 years, Dr. Betsy Hertzler has contributed to MCC and our district in a number of leadership positions.
She has been a valued professor of history; president of the Faculty Senate and Faculty Executive Council; leader in the Counseling Department; an advocate and co-director of the MCC Honors Program for nearly 20 years; as well as the director... Read more about Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Hertzler
2021 Alumni Achievement
Dr. Jeffrey M. Mendoza is an aerospace scientist with more than 25 years of developing innovative technologies, earning him awards from organizations such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (better known as NASA) and Raytheon Technologies. Currently he is a technical fellow in the Acoustics/Thermal Fluid Science Department at the United Technologies Research Center, a global... Read more about Dr. Jeffrey Mendoza
2021 Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Mona Scott Figueroa has been an acclaimed American Indian Studies and sociology professor at Mesa Community College for more than 20 years. She is known for leading difficult discussions about systemic racism, sexuality, miseducation, and the need for positive representation of Indigenous and underrepresented communities.
Her approach to teaching is an active learning technique of valuing... Read more about Dr. Mona Scott Figueroa
2021 Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Wynn Call is a highly respected MCC faculty member whose contribution to MCC has included leadership to the college as the Psychological Sciences Department for 14 years and who has earned high praise from his students for more than three decades. One of many examples of his authentic caring for his students and the field of psychology was expressed by a parent who said she attended a... Read more about Dr. Wynn Call
2021 Alumni Achievement
Ed Bufford is a respected marketing and education professional as well as notable community activist. After serving in the Army, he attended MCC, which he says set the stage for his career and subsequent leadership positions. Edward explains that his path began with Professor Louis Giallonardo’s marketing class, which inspired him to be president of DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America... Read more about Edward Bufford
2021 Outstanding Athlete
Hakeem Rollins averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game as a high school senior, helping Mesa High School to a 17-13 record in 2001. Fortunately for MCC, he turned down an academic scholarship to the University of Arizona so he could play Thunderbird basketball. Hakeem was an outstanding power forward for the 2002 and 2003 basketball seasons. He was First Team All-Conference and First Team... Read more about Hakeem Rollins
2021 Distinguished MCC Staff
For more than 30 years, Jon Valpey taught students in the Mesa Community College Theater and Music departments innovative techniques to create play sets as well as how cutting-edge performance venues should look and run. Jon began his higher education as a Thunderbird. After earning his Associate in Arts with honors at MCC, he received his Master of Fine Art at Arizona State University. At MCC,... Read more about Jonathan Valpey
2021 Distinguished MCC Staff
Ken Costello credits the equal partnership between his left brain – the analytical and logical—and his right brain – the creative and intuitive – for his successful ability to analyze a situation and then innovate to go beyond typical approaches to achieve unexpected results. Graduating from ASU, he became a criminalist for the Phoenix Police Department Crime Lab. Not satisfied to just conduct... Read more about Ken Costello
2021 Outstanding Athlete
Rashad Armstrong brought his football skills to the stadium of MCC in 2000. Younger players looked to him for leadership as he triumphed over turf toe, an arm injury and a broken ankle his first year. As a Thunderbird sophomore, he was named National Junior College Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year and NJCAA All-American. Over the 10-game 2001 season, he scored 16 touchdowns and... Read more about Rashad Armstrong
2021 Alumni Achievement
Shela Levante is a former MCC Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa and an honors scholar. She was selected for an All-Arizona Academic Team scholarship, which enabled her to earn a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, emphasizing nonprofit leadership and management.
Her career path is personally informed with her experiences of being in the child welfare system. Shela is a strong... Read more about Shela Levante
2021 Outstanding Coach
An Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Steve Jacobs has produced for Mesa Community College 43 national champions and 507 All-Americans. Steve’s focus is on developing well-rounded students -- his athletes consistently earn Academic All-American awards. Under his direction, Thunderbird Track & Field ranks as one of the premier teams in the country, typically... Read more about Steve Jacobs
2019 Alumni Achievement
A Maricopa County Superior Court Judge for nearly two decades, prior to that appointment, David King Udall was a deputy county attorney for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and worked in the firm of Killian, Nicholas, Fischer, Wirken, Cook & Pew in Mesa.
Earning his Associate of Arts degree from MCC in 1983, he was chair of the MCC Alumni Association in 2004-2005 and he was honored with... Read more about David King Udall
2019 Excellence in Teaching
Professor David Schultz, teaching mathematics at MCC for 21 years, is known for working collaboratively with his peers on college planning committees and groups such as undergraduate research, honors and the MCC Math Club. David has insight and a special connection with veteran and international students, having lived overseas while working for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools.
His... Read more about David Schultz
2019 Service
Dr. Ann Tway has distinguished herself as a gifted psychology professor as well as an engaged scholar who has brought national fame and acclaim to Mesa Community College.
Earning her doctoral degree in educational psychology from Arizona State University, she anchored her career at MCC until her retirement in 2018. Ann founded the MCC chapter of Psi Beta, a national honor society for students... Read more about Dr. Ann Ewing
2019 Alumni Achievement
Dr. Mark David Milliron is an award-winning leader, author, speaker, and consultant who works with universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, foundations, corporations, associations, and government agencies around the world.
From a nine-siblings, 25-foster children, multicultural family, Mark was the first to earn a college degree. At MCC, Mark says he met the first of several mentors --... Read more about Dr. Mark David Milliron
2019 Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Scott Russell, retired faculty emeritus, taught anthropology at Mesa Community College from 2003 through 2015. He is renowned for his involvement in activities and mentoring to foster student success and retention. As an anthropologist, Scott worked to enlighten his students about cultural differences in the United States and around the world.
Scott chaired the Title III Committee and helped... Read more about Dr. Scott Russell
2019 Alumni Achievement
In 1963, Roc became the very first MCC student body president. Adding to his MCC legacy of service, he is a founding member of the MCC Alumni Advisory Board and lifelong advocate for education. While at MCC, he started his nearly 40-year career as an insurance agent.
Raising his family in the East Valley, he participated on local and state boards including the Arizona State Board of... Read more about F. Rockne "Roc" Arnett
2019 Distinguished MCC Staff
Garrison Tahmahkera's vision and leadership has created a legacy at Mesa Community College that now serves as a foundation for success among our American Indian students. He led the founding of the American Indian Center in 1986 and served as the first director until 2003 and continued to contribute for additional years as an Elder in Residence. The American Indian Center, now the American Indian... Read more about Garrison Tahmahkera
2019 Alumni Achievement
Currently Inspector General for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, he retired in 2017 as Chief of Police in Mesa after a 30-year career. While with Mesa PD, he was lead developer of the "Mesa Police Department's Response to the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing" report and was instrumental in the implementation of notable Mesa PD innovative programs, particularly the... Read more about John Meza
2019 Outstanding Athlete
Pau Tonnesen came to Mesa Community College as a three-time Arizona high school state champion in the triple jump, long jump and high jump. Our head Track & Field coach Steve Jacobs saw potential for Pau to excel in the decathlon – the ultimate athletic endeavor! Initially, Pau was not so keen on the idea and was really too nice to say “no” to Coach. But then, he became an unprecedented six-... Read more about Pau Tonnesen
2019 Outstanding Coach
Sandra Stultz was the Mesa Community College assistant basketball coach from 1976 to 1987. A year after joining the MCC Athletics coaching staff, she was named head softball coach, leading the team for nine seasons with a record of 325-125. Helping build on the foundation of women's athletics at Mesa, she took on the additional role of the women’s sports information director, while serving as... Read more about Sandra J. Stultz
2019 Alumni Achievement
Sasan is the first Chief Technology Officer for the Town of Gilbert, responsible for strategic planning, implementation and stewardship of information technology services for the town. With administrative leadership and teaching experience at the university and community college level spanning more than 20 years, Poureetezadi has also served as an information technology consultant for private,... Read more about Sasan Poureetezadi
2018 Alumni Achievement
This fourth generation Mesa native attended Mesa Community College in 1983 and 1984.
A mother of seven, she and her husband Ivan head a blended family of nine. Allison says being an entrepreneur has given her the autonomy to contribute to her family while devoting time to the challenge of raising two children with severe autism.
Her entrepreneurial spirit emerged when she used to sell toys to... Read more about Allison Tyler Jones
2018 Service
This is a man who has truly set a high benchmark for service to the college, the community, veterans and our nation.
Serving in the United States Navy during the Persian Gulf War, he went on to become an accomplished educator and extraordinary volunteer, making important differences in the lives of countless people.
Arlen has been given kudos too numerous to list for his outstanding service. He... Read more about Arlen Sykes
2018 Outstanding Athlete
A quarterback for McClintock High School, he played football at MCC in 1975 and 1976, and was a member of the 1975 national champion football team. A versatile athlete, he also played baseball his freshman year as a Thunderbird.
Dan earned a football scholarship to Kansas State University where he led the Big 8 in passing his senior year and received a 1978 All-Big 8 Honorable Mention. He was... Read more about Dan Manucci
2018 Alumni Achievement
Graduating from MCC’s nursing program in 1979, Donna is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She has devoted her professional life to improving the care of children with neurological disease, and her personal mission to care for the underserved, the poor, and those with special needs.
Donna is director-at-large for the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses and received the association’s Mary... Read more about Donna Wallace
2018 Outstanding Athlete
Neville’s distinguished athletic career began in 1963 while in high school in Jamaica. He set records at countless local and national meets. In 1964, he ran the 880 yards in 1 minute 47.2 seconds, becoming the first Jamaican Junior World Record Holder, a title he holds to this day. The British magazine World Sport awarded him a Certificate of Achievement and the local newspaper dubbed him The... Read more about Neville Fitzgerald Myton
2018 Distinguished MCC Staff
The Vice Provost of the MCC Red Mountain Campus, Nora is known for her strategic planning as well as tireless efforts mentoring staff, leading initiatives at the Red Mountain Campus and helping students succeed through innovative programs and inspiring one-on-one engagement.
Graduating valedictorian from Antelope Union High School in Wellton, Arizona, she chose Arizona State University to earn... Read more about Nora Amavisca Reyes
2018 Alumni Achievement
Robert is a US Marine Corps Vietnam veteran who earned the National Defense Service Medal. In college, Robert Klee was as formidable on the gridiron as in the classroom. This linebacker was one of the MCC 1974 Wool Bowl Champions, the 1975 MCC National Junior College Athletic Association Champion and a national NAIA defensive player of the week at Southern Utah State College. In 1978, he achieved... Read more about Robert Klee
2018 Outstanding Athlete
This Mesa native graduated from Mountain View High School and attended MCC from 1993 through 1996. He played for the Thunderbirds starting in 1994 chalking up accolades as a First Team All American and 1996 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
Starting in 2001, Shea played major league baseball for seven years which included a stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He... Read more about Shea Hillenbrand
2018 Alumni Achievement
Graduating from Mesa Community College in 1983, Sherri is the founder and president of Career Coaching 360, and has helped thousands of executives and professionals change, re-brand, advance, and take their career in a whole new direction.
She is the creator of the Maricopa Community College Foundation’s Pass-It-Forward scholarship fund for working women, and provides free coaching scholarships... Read more about Sherri Thomas
2018 Outstanding Athlete
A graduate of Red Mountain High School in Mesa, this Arizona native played for MCC from 1993 to 1994. He was a Second Team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American and, in 1993 and 1994, named to the All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference.
Vance was selected in the Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets in 1993 but he waited to sign, giving his 1994 season... Read more about Vance Wilson
2017 Outstanding Athlete
Albie Lopez, a right-handed pitcher for the Westwood Warriors, was a member of the 1989 United States Junior Olympic team, which won gold and bronze medals. He was awarded a full athletic scholarship for baseball at MCC and led the Thunderbirds to the 1990 Junior College World Series while earning First Team All-American honors for himself.
Albie was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1991, and... Read more about Albie Lopez
2017 Alumni Achievement
Gilbert Orrantia is the Director of Arizona’s Department of Homeland Security. An Arizona native, he was raised in Mesa, graduated from MCC in 1978 and, after earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Arizona State University, he taught junior high in the Mesa Public Schools for two years.
He left the halls of education to serve in the FBI for 26 years, receiving two of the highest... Read more about Gilbert Orrantia
2017 Outstanding Athlete
Jan-Erik Palm led MCC to its first and only NJCAA Championship in tennis in 1972, along with doubles partner Stellan Björk. He was First Team All-American in 1972, and was honored as an All-American in 1973. After his success at MCC, Jan-Erik received a tennis scholarship to Arizona State University, where he played No. 1 singles and doubles and served as Team Captain during his senior year. Jan-... Read more about Jan-Erik Palm
2017 Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Jeffrey Andelora is a leader, both locally and nationally, in the teaching of English. Jeff has taught at MCC since 1996 and has been elected by his peers to serve as Chair of the English Department since 2007. He currently serves MCC as the Interim Dean of Instruction for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, a leadership position that enables him to help establish the strategic direction... Read more about Jeffrey Andelora
2017 Alumni Achievement
Joan Sullivan Garrett is Founder and Chairman of the Board for MedAire. A 1979 graduate of MCC’s nursing program, Joan recognized the need for remote medical care after assisting a seriously injured 8-year-old boy in a remote desert area as a critical-care registered flight nurse. The experience propelled Joan to create an industry that remains the gold standard across the globe.
Since its... Read more about Joan Sullivan Garrett
2017 Alumni Achievement
Karl Schroeder rose through the ranks from courtesy clerk to executive leader. He is now President of the Seattle Division for Albertsons Companies, where he is responsible for 239 stores in Washington, Alaska, and Northern Idaho under the Safeway, Albertsons, Carrs, and Haggen banners.
Karl earned an associate’s degree from Mesa Community College, a certification in Food Industry Management... Read more about Karl Schroeder
2017 Alumni Achievement
Matt Salmon is Vice President for Government Affairs at Arizona State University, where he oversees the university’s federal, state, community and tribal relations, while assisting ASU in advancing its global strategy, including working with the governments of other countries to advance international projects.
After attending MCC, he earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from ASU and... Read more about Matt Salmon
2017 Alumni Achievement
Dr. Michael Ropacki is a clinical neuroscientist specializing in neurological disorders, specifically neurodegenerative diseases. Michael is Senior Vice President of Research and Development at MedAvante, an innovator in the collection, management, and analysis of clinical trial data.
A member of the Critical Path Institute’s Coalition Against Major Disease’s digital Drug Development Tool Team,... Read more about Michael Ropacki
2017 Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Richard Effland, Jr., received Faculty Emeritus distinction to honor his 25-year career teaching Anthropology at Mesa Community College. Rick's expansive expertise enabled him to teach every sub-discipline in anthropology, which includes archaeology, cultural, and biological anthropology.
A pioneer in the use of technology for teaching, learning, and online course development, Rick developed... Read more about Richard Effland, Jr.
2017 Service
Robin Arredondo-Savage, Tempe Vice Mayor and MCC alumna, is a 21-year Tempe small business manager whose involvement in the community spans more than 20 years. She has served as Chairman and Board member for the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors for the Tempe Community Council. Robin’s eight years of service to the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board includes... Read more about Robin Arredondo-Savage
2017 Outstanding Athlete
Stellan Björk paired with Jan-Erik Palm to create the Swedish doubles duo that led MCC to the NJCAA Tennis Championship in 1972. Stellan earned All-American honors in 1972 as well as regional championships in 1972 and 1973. Serving as team captain, Stellan notes that the 1973 team was even stronger, and Coach Christensen had the team competing successfully against four-year schools such as ASU, U... Read more about Stellan Björk
2016 Alumni Achievement
Bland Burchett is an engineer with the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. His 33 distinguished years serving our nation began as a reliability engineer and evolved into various responsibilities in weapons development and testing, where he has overseen diverse groups of scientists, engineers, and technicians. Bland Burchett has written or collaborated on technical papers relating to... Read more about Bland Burchett
2016 Outstanding Athlete
Derek Price was MCC Football’s Most Valuable Player in 1992 and was honored as the All-American Junior College Grid Wire Tight End and Western Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He earned a scholarship to the University of Iowa followed by a career in the NFL as a tight end for the Detroit Lions. His time in the NFL was cut short due to a severe neck injury, which required career-ending... Read more about Derek Price
2016 Alumni Achievement
Emmet Ronan began his career as a trial attorney for the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office and entered private practice in 1982, becoming a partner in law firm of Henze, Ronan, and Clark. He returned to the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office for eight years before being appointed as a judge to the Maricopa County Superior Court in 1999. His court assignments over his 15 years on the... Read more about Emmet Ronan
2016 Alumni Achievement
John Giles was named Mesa Man of the Year in 2013. John Giles has served on, and often led, more than 20 boards and committees in Mesa and the surrounding community, including the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority. Most notably, he has served on the Mesa United Way Board of Directors for more than 15 years, which includes terms as board chair and campaign chair. Involved in interfaith... Read more about John Giles
2016 Excellence in Teaching
Karen Hardin, Ed.D. received Faculty Emeritus distinction from the Maricopa Community Colleges to honor her 31-year career fostering student success at Mesa Community College. Passionate about recruiting and retaining underserved students, as a faculty member and chair of the MCC Counseling Department, Dr. Karen Hardin mentored students individually and through large-scale programs.
Students... Read more about Karen Hardin
2016 Outstanding Athlete
Ken Phelps played baseball at MCC in 1974, where he earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-American honors. He holds an MCC record for 17 homeruns in a season and went on to Arizona State University, where he was named to the College World Series All-Star Team in 1976.
Ken was drafted by Kansas City Royals in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft, gaining a reputation as a feared... Read more about Ken Phelps
2016 Distinguished MCC Staff
Matthew Ashcraft is the Dean of Institutional Analysis and Planning at Mesa Community College, where he leads research, planning, and implementation of strategic initiatives. He works closely with faculty on learning-outcomes assessment and provides executive leadership for the college’s accreditation activities. Prior to MCC, Matt held positions at the University of Phoenix and Glendale... Read more about Matthew Ashcraft
2016 Outstanding Coach
Penny Powell coached Women’s Tennis at MCC from 1975 to 2007. In her 22 years as a coach, the Thunderbirds won 13 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference championships with additional second- and third-place season finishes throughout the years. The Thunderbirds placed in the top three in the region more than 20 times, of which nine were championships.
Penny was honored as the 2000... Read more about Penny Powell
2016 Outstanding Athlete
Peter Fennell was an All American, first team honoree for the National Junior College Tennis Conference and the Arizona Community College Tennis Champion in both singles and doubles in 1968 and 1969. He lost only one singles match in conference play during his two years at Mesa, and was undefeated in conference doubles with partner Chris Evenson.
Peter, a 1969 MCC graduate and member of the Men’... Read more about Peter Fennell
2016 Outstanding Coach
Selmer Olson was an MCC coach and residential faculty member in the Exercise Science department for more than 35 years. Track and Field defined Selmer’s career. As an assistant coach from 1971 to 1981, the Thunderbirds were four-time National Team Champions and our athletes set records in javelin, discus, and shotput, including a world record in shotput. Four top 10 NJCAA finishes followed from... Read more about Selmer Olson
2016 Excellence in Teaching
Shereen Lerner, Ph.D. is an award-winning teacher with 35 years of field and research experience in Southwestern archaeology. Dr. Shereen Lerner has taught at MCC since 1992. Her courses go beyond the mystique of Indiana Jones, showing students how anthropology can relate to their lives and help shape their perspective on the human condition. Shereen has spent summers teaching abroad in Austria,... Read more about Shereen Lerner
2016 Distinguished MCC Staff
Sonia Filan worked for MCC for 30 years, rising from public relations assistant to executive leader. In her position as Director of Institutional Advancement and Entrepreneurial Programs, Sonia Filan was responsible for community relations and promoting MCC to internal and external audiences through marketing, media, and public relations.
Under her leadership, the National Council for Marketing... Read more about Sonia Filan
2016 Alumni Achievement
Timothy Dorn began his highly decorated military and law enforcement career at MCC in 1975 as a security officer. His talent was recognized early in his career, when he was honored as the 1976 Gilbert Police Officer of the Year and 1978 MCSO Deputy Sheriff of the Year. He rose to the rank of captain with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and in 2001 returned to the Gilbert Police Department... Read more about Timothy Dorn
2015 Alumni Achievement
Deborah Bateman is a 1971 MCC graduate who went from bank teller to vice president and now Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for National Bank of Arizona. She is a published author and operates her own mentoring business, and is a frequent featured speaker at seminars, meetings and conferences across the country. She is also heavily involved in community volunteerism, and has been honored... Read more about Deborah Bateman
2015 Service
Diana Occhiuzzi received an Associate of Arts degree from MCC in 1969. After graduating from ASU she later became a high school teacher in Tempe for 27 of her 40-year education career. She has worked at the Arizona Department of Education as the Fashion Forum Event Coordinator since 2010, and has won numerous awards for teaching excellence and student service. She also has been involved in dozens... Read more about Diana Occhiuzzi
2015 Excellence in Teaching
Duane Oakes has been with MCC since 2000, and is Faculty Director for the Center for Community & Civic Engagement. He’s also been advisor to MCC’s award-winning Phi Theta Kappa student scholars organization, one of the nation’s largest. He has won numerous awards for his leadership roles in student life, Phi Theta Kappa, and service learning, and he was previously director of student... Read more about Duane Oakes
2015 Alumni Achievement
Hermenigilda Luna is a registered nurse who graduated from MCC in 1994, and is now Director of Nursing Services at University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. Also a graduate of Grand Canyon University and a current Master’s degree student at Benedictine University, worked as an R.N. for Hospice of the Valley, and participated in... Read more about Hermenigilda (Hilda) Luna
2015 Alumni Achievement
Jennifer Duff graduated from MCC in 1980, and in 2012 graduated from the Mesa Leadership and Development Training program. A professional bass angler, she is president and owner of Lobina Lures, which manufactures and distributes fishing lures, and is president and owner of Jef International, Inc., an import/export trading business specializing in sports fishing tackle.
Jennifer Duff studied... Read more about Jennifer Duff
2015 Alumni Achievement
Keith Ballard attended MCC in 1990-91, and is currently Director of Music for Southwest Middle School in San Diego, CA. Teaching in a high poverty area near the international border between San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, Keith started a mariachi music program which has grown to other schools in his district and been featured nationally.
He is a noted speaker, presenter and music... Read more about Keith Ballard
2015 Excellence in Teaching
Lyn Dutson was a theatre and speech instructor who taught at MCC for 40 years. The winner of numerous teaching, service, and theatre awards, she was named MCC Outstanding Teacher in 1992-93, and MCC Distinguished Woman of the Year in 2008. She’s been an instructor and student at the Arizona Ch’uan Fa Society since 1997, and has a black belt in Chinese Kempo.
What has always made Lyn Dutson... Read more about Lyn Dutson
2015 Outstanding Athlete
Robert Jacks was a versatile athlete, competing for MCC in Tennis, Basketball and Track (he attended on dual scholarships for tennis and basketball). Robert Jacks graduated from MCC in 1967. He was ranked third in the state and 21st in the nation in tennis, shot a team best 67 percent from the floor in basketball, and set a school record at the time for the high jump at 6 feet, three inches. Now... Read more about Robert Jacks
2015 Outstanding Athlete
Ronald Powell started playing tennis when he was 12, and by the time he got to MCC, he was already a decorated state, sectional and national high school tournament winner, and had competed for ASU for a year. While at MCC he and the tennis team qualified for the National Junior College Championships, and Ronald was ranked first in the state in men’s singles. He retired from the United States... Read more about Ronald Powell
2015 Alumni Achievement
Terence Azbill attended MCC 1974-76, serving as Chief Justice of the Student Court and playing on the 1975 National Junior College Championship Football Team. After MCC, he began a distinguished career in law enforcement, and was nominated and selected by Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt to attend the International School of Police Executives at Northwestern University.
Terence returned to MCC... Read more about Terence Azbill
2015 Outstanding Coach
Tony Cirelli played baseball for MCC in 1981, and has been our head baseball coach since 1995. He has the most baseball wins in school history at 755 and counting. In 2014, he led the Thunderbirds to their first national baseball championship since 1972. He has been honored with no less than seven conference and regional coaching awards during his career, including national Coach of the Year in... Read more about Tony Cirelli