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. 

Geoff Coppola
Douglas Miles Street Mural
Jacy Smith
Kevin Keleher
Tom Kusek
Nikelle Mackey
Brad Hull
Manuel Romero sitting on a railing in dress clothes.
Tina Carroll
Ron Colburn
Zona Bailey
Monique Griego
Kelley Stewart
Molly O’Dwyer
Renae Blackwater
Michael del Castillo
Kimberly Wise
Angel Ruvalcaba
Thomas Patzner
Phil Reese
Mike Brown
Monica Trejo
Karina Aguilar
Photo of Ian Schwartz wearing a suit and tie
Headshot of Jacob Moore.
Harmony Colella
Deborah Bateman
Headshot of Francesca De Martini.
Headshot of Shannon Gunz.
Jessica Lake
Charles A. Finch
Brian Koeneman
Scott Mackey
Gilbert Orrantia
Xavier Patten
Joan Sullivan Garrett
Scott Everett
photo of Hannah Cheloha
photo of Lyle Jones
Headshot of Granville Carroll.

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