ASMCC presidents, past and present: Creating traditions and community

Mesa Community College's first student body president, Roc Arnett, is former president and CEO of the East Valley Partnership, founding MCC Alumni Advisory Board member, and an advocate for education.

Recalling one of his favorite classes, Arnett says an accounting professor instilled the idea that "You can't take out more than you take in. You can't spend more than you generate in revenue. And that was probably one of the best things I learned here at the community college."

Lessons learned from MCC established the framework for Arnett's successful career in the insurance industry and his commitment to community service.

"Education in my mind is one of the most important economic drivers in our entire economy," Arnett explains. "It's just so important and that's why I keep coming back. I've encouraged each of my kids. All of my kids have graduated. And some of them took classes here."

Actively involved at MCC for more than 60 years, Arnett considers MCC a "valued community treasure," adding, "When I left the East Valley Partnership, there was a scholarship started on my behalf and we give $500 scholarships a year in my name, and I donate to that on an annual basis."

Sen Whittemore, a criminal justice major, and Liam Tubman, a theatre major, are current Associated Students of Mesa Community College (ASMCC) student body presidents. Whittemore represents the Red Mountain Campus and Tubman, the Southern and Dobson Campus.

As a high school student in Illinois, Whittemore and his mom toured MCC during a spring break visit to Arizona. "We visited the rose garden and I knew then that I really wanted to come here because my grandmother, who passed away in 2018, was really passionate about her rose garden, and me and my mother are both very passionate gardeners," said Whittemore. Another reason he chose MCC is because it's affordable.

Tubman, a "lifelong lover of film and entertainment," says he was unsure of his career path after graduating high school.

"I was still trying to run away from the idea of being an entertainer because, you know, you hear those people, that's not a real job," he says. "And to be frank, I had an anxiety attack while applying for another college. The community college was an option that was affordable. It was a good first step to taking those big steps straight out of high school. And so, I think those were the big driving reasons why I came to MCC."

On choosing to run for student body president, Arnett said he was "hoping to get some traditions started." He helped choose the school colors and name the mascot. Creating a sense of community and advocating for the students was really important for Whittemore. As for Tubman, a goal was bringing back the social aspect of college that went away during COVID. "I wanted to make people excited to come to college and I didn't want people to just go home after class," he said. ''These are the years that we get to make memories; you get to make friends. It's truly been an unforgettable experience."