At MCC, we never tire of hearing about the pursuits and successes of our alumni. Below is a compilation of alumni who have been in the news. If you or a fellow alum is featured in the news, we'd like to know. Send the information to marcy.snitzer@mesacc.edu.
Courtney Guinn Pursuing Mesa D1 City Council Seat
MCC Alumnus Courtney Guinn is the third candidate to make a bid for Mesa's District 1 City Council seat, which will change hands when Councilman Dave Richins steps down next January.
The city has said it wants to encourage pedestrian activity and connect the district's residential areas to assets such as Mesa Community College and Banner Desert and Cardon Children's medical centers.
Arizona Republic, January 28, 2016
Track's Tonnesen Aims for NCAA title, Olympics
Qualification for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, an appearance in the 2015 World Championships, Pac-12 Conference field athlete of the year, Pac-12 champion and a second place finish in the 2015 NCAA Championships.
These are just some of the achievements and accolades Pau Tonnesen, MCC track and field alum, has obtained over his past two seasons competing for the Arizona track and field team.
Arizona Daily Wildcat, February 1, 2016
Tilt Gallery gears up for 11th Anniversary
Tilt Art Gallery, founded by MCC alumnae Melanie and Michelle Craven, will host a lecture and presentation of process by Ron Bimrose, Artist & Educator of Fine Art at Mesa Community College, on March 10 at 6pm.
AZ Big Media, January 30, 2016
People Builder Duane Oakes
Within 48 hours of arriving at BYU, MCC transfer student Duane D. Oakes (BS ’89, MA ’90) found himself parked on the steps of the BYU administration building, staring at the skies from a sleeping bag and waiting to get a ticket to apply for a job. He wondered what on earth he was doing in Provo.
Duane now serves as a member of the faculty and the director for the Center for Community and Civic Engagement at Mesa Community College. Read his story:
BYU.edu, February 8, 2016
Former Palatine Sports Standout Fighting Colon Cancer
MCC shortstop Chris Macahon got the unexpected news that he had colon cancer. And to make matters worse, he was in stage 3 of the disease.
Dailyherald.com, March 11, 2016
Cosmic Fractures: Beatriz Cortez's Simultaneous Realities
In artist Beatriz Cortez's installations, cracks and crevices are a consistent clue to the fractured existence she has experienced in her life. As an immigrant artist, Cortez says that living in Arizona taught her about how difficult it is for immigrants to negotiate daily life in an environment often hostile to outsiders. “The community of students [at Mesa Community College in Arizona] really helped me survive the shock of immigration in a most creative environment,” Cortez said.
KCET, March 24, 2016
ASU spells success for new military advocate
Kelley Stewart, MCC and ASU alumna, is the newest military advocate at the Pat Tillman Veterans Center.
Arizona State University, April 4, 2016
ASU Alumna Starts KAYRAE Business to Display Local Talent
After receiving an associate's degree in graphic design from Mesa Community College and a degree in marketing from ASU, Kindal McDaniel put her talents into KAYRAE, a non-profit company that opened in August of 2014 to allow local artists in the community to display their talent.
State Press, April 13, 2016
Canyon Voices: Assembling an Opus
Article about the experiences of students who work on Arizona State University’s West campus literary magazine, Canyon Voices, including MCC alum Patricia Colomy.
ASU Now, April 18, 2016
Living the Dream: UConn's New AD Grew Up in Sports
The Hartford Courant reports that Dave Benedict, UConn's new athletic director, grew up as a competitive coach's son at Mesa Community College.
Courant.com, May 2, 2016