Success Stories

For more than half a century, thousands of students have charted their path to success at Mesa Community College. Here we feature a compendium of their inspiring stories and reflections. Check back occasionally to see updated and new feature stories from alumni on the impact MCC has had on their lives and the communities we serve.

The most recent stories appear below the photo bar. To view all stories of success, click through the photos and select a person or scroll to the bottom of the page. 

photo of Shachi Kale
photo of Marvin Scott
Photo of Ian Schwartz wearing a suit and tie
Xavier Patten
Brian Koeneman
Arlen Sykes
Kelley Stewart
Courtney Waxman
Joel Cranson & Kevin Herrmann
Jacy Smith
Robin Wilson
Karl Schroeder
Douglas Miles Street Mural
Tim Werner
Dave Schneider
Priscilla Gutierrez in a black dress with arms crossed her chest
Wayne Balmer
Scott Mackey
Charles A. Finch
Andy Bridges
Joan Sullivan Garrett
Stephanie R. deLusé
Michelle and Melanie Craven
Merri Stafford with family and instructor
Jessica Lake
Benjamin Rundall
Tom Kusek
Ron Colburn
Shelby Prockish posing in front of a Waymo car.
Stephen Morgan
Jennifer Duff
Thomas Patzner
photo of Lyle Jones
Karina Aguilar
Manuel Romero sitting on a railing in dress clothes.
Angel Ruvalcaba
picture of Tom Arviso Jr.
Deborah Bateman
Kevin Keleher
Phil Reese

Recent Stories of Success

Mesa Mom Returns to School, Balances Work and Family to Create a Brighter Future

From a young age, Mesa Community College graduate Priscilla Gutierrez has felt deeply connected to the Mesa community. “Having been born and raised here, I saw MCC as the ideal place to begin my…

Forecasting Success: Ian Schwartz’s journey from college newsroom to TV weatherman

Whether he's reporting the weather, "hunting down happy hour deals" or sharing stories about children in need of foster and adoptive families, MCC alumnus and 3TV, CBS 5 Arizona's Family…

MCC's good neighbor - LaVon Jackson Maccanico

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…

Mastering the Art of Self-Discovery

"You know, thanks to this call, I'm remembering a lot about my time at MCC. It's probably the most personal I've been during an interview," says Douglas Miles Sr., independent artist, owner of…

Benjamin Rundall’s Passion for Education and Helping Others is Found at MCC

“Sorry if my phone gets disconnected–the cell reception might go in and out up here,” says MCC alumnus Benjamin Rundall on a return trip from the Navajo Nation. A civil rights attorney, Rundall…

View All Stories of Success