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. 

Wayne Balmer
Photo of Ian Schwartz wearing a suit and tie
Headshot of Jacob Moore.
Charles A. Finch
picture of Tom Arviso Jr.
Michael del Castillo
Geoff Coppola
Merri Stafford with family and instructor
Kimberly Wise
Headshot of Francesca De Martini.
Courtney Waxman
Andy Bridges
Zona Bailey
Benjamin Rundall
Thomas Patzner
Wendy Nessl
Rosaline Dye
Joshua Sykes
Aaron Holtz
Tim Werner
Tom Kusek
Gilbert Orrantia
Brad Hull
photo of Shachi Kale
Robin Wilson
Shelby Prockish posing in front of a Waymo car.
Jessica Lake
Stephen Morgan
Nancy Donsbach
Manuel Romero sitting on a railing in dress clothes.
Dave Schneider
Monica Trejo
Brian Koeneman
photo of Kyana Young
Diego Santos posing in front of a CAT backhoe.
Scott Everett
Tina Carroll
Michelle and Melanie Craven
photo of LaVon in front of her Meineke store
Molly O’Dwyer

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