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. 

Kevin Keleher
Merri Stafford with family and instructor
Jennifer Duff
Diego Santos posing in front of a CAT backhoe.
Michael del Castillo
Deborah Bateman
Brad Hull
Robin Wilson
Thomas Patzner
Priscilla Gutierrez in a black dress with arms crossed her chest
Phil Reese
Patrick McGarey
Headshot of Francesca De Martini.
Geoff Coppola
Shelby Prockish posing in front of a Waymo car.
Stephanie R. deLusé
Jessica Lake
Manuel Romero sitting on a railing in dress clothes.
Monica Trejo
Photo of Ian Schwartz wearing a suit and tie
photo of Kyana Young
Joel Cranson & Kevin Herrmann
Headshot of Shannon Gunz.
Joshua Sykes
Stephen Morgan
Brian Koeneman
Rosaline Dye
Andy Bridges
Tom Kusek
Headshot of Granville Carroll.
photo of LaVon in front of her Meineke store
Molly O’Dwyer
photo of Lyle Jones
Wendy Nessl
Danette Key
Aaron Holtz
photo of Shachi Kale
Tim Kaufman
Nikelle Mackey
photo of Marvin Scott

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…