After working in corporate America for 30 years, Lavon Jackson Maccanico suddenly found herself without a job. Her career in human resources abruptly ended due to a lay off - something she had never before experienced.
"I did nothing for about a year," says Jackson Maccanico, who holds a bachelor's degree in business and a master's degree in organizational development.
Always intrigued by the world of franchising, she thoroughly researched the industry and today owns two Meineke Car Care Centers, one just across the street from Mesa Community College's Southern and Dobson Campus.
"One of the things I wanted to do was make sure that we didn't just have a business in the community, that we became community partners," says Jackson Maccanico, whose other Meineke location is at Greenfield and University.
Her sons, Michael and Bryan, help manage the auto repair shops. Michael, the director of community relations, introduced her to MCC's Chief Philanthropy Officer, Christos Chronis; and Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Officer, Julie Ellsworth, which led her to becoming actively involved in the MCC President's Community Advisory Board.
"We are so grateful for LaVon's and her family's partnership," said Ellsworth. "As a community leader, LaVon's commitment to MCC shines a light on the impact we make on our students."
"I think education is important and that everyone who wants an education should have the ability to get one," says Jackson Maccanico, adding that she finds pleasure in seeing others succeed and follow their dreams. "I believe that scholarships are important to students who really just can't afford to go. And I was that student years ago at a community college in California."
Growing up in a small town outside of Los Angeles, Jackson Maccanico recalls graduating high school, but her mother couldn't afford to send her and her twin sister to a university, so she went to the local community college and her sister went to the university.
Now a proud grandmother, her grandson Michael Jackson III, is following in her footsteps, pursuing a degree at MCC.
Jackson Maccanico contributes to the Thunderbird Excellence Fund, MCC's basketball team and hopes to start a scholarship fund for MCC automotive students as well. "It's amazing what some of the kids are doing over there," she says.