As a first-generation, Latina college student, Melanie Perez Saenz, 20, of Mesa, said she initially decided to attend Mesa Community College because it was the best financial option for her. During her time at MCC, Perez Saenz exceeded expectations and graduated a semester early as an honor student, became an active member of the community, and was named an All-Arizona Academic Team honoree. All-Arizona honorees demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual tenacity combined with leadership and service that expands their education.
“This might sound cliché but to be an All-Arizona honoree feels indescribable,” Perez Saenz said.
She credits several remarkable professors and advisors such as Rod Golden, Mia Palmer, Suzy Horton, Puvana Ganesan and Erin Rawson for assisting her at MCC. Perez Saenz’s goal has been to make her family proud and strive to follow a fulfilling path of helping others with mental health.
“I always had advisors and a support system with an open door for me no matter the circumstance,” she said. “I believe everything has a reason and whether they know it or not, their care, input and kindness heavily impacted my personal life as well as my motivation educationally; and I will forever be grateful.”
While completing her education at MCC she worked a part-time job, volunteered at church and school events, became a family caregiver and dealt with many spiritual and emotional conflicts.
“It was not an easy time,” she said. “I overcame things by prioritizing what matters to me, which are my education, mental health and relationships that influence all these factors.”
She said she believes observing and experiencing mental conflicts in her everyday life will help her move forward in pursuing certain criteria for working with mental disorders.
Perez Saenz said MCC provided her with so many wonderful resources like the First Year Experience Program, HSI EXCELlence, Phi Theta Kappa, National Honor Society of Psychology (Psi Beta), Mesa College Promise Program and President's Honor Scholarship Program.
Her educational goal is to earn a master's degree in clinical psychology and potentially a doctorate in counseling psychology to become a clinical psychologist.
“I would most certainly recommend MCC to others and I believe MCC has a place for everyone and can meet them where they’re at,” Perez Saenz said.