Mesa Community College graduate Riley Weathersbee, age 19, said she would not feel as passionate and confident in her line of work without the college. She believes MCC is the best choice to start a journalism degree.
Starting at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Weathersbee found out that MCC had the journalism classes needed to complete her degree. She enrolled at both schools, eventually taking the majority of her classes at MCC to focus more on her career goals.
“I took my first journalism class in Spring 2024 with NAR [Professor Nadine Arroyo-Rodriguez]. She showed me the art of journalism, the mechanics, and caused me to fall in love with the practice,” Weathersbee said.
That same semester, Weathersbee started working with the school newspaper, The Mesa Legend, as their Social Media Editor. She worked her way up from a reporter to finish off her MCC days as the Managing Editor of the paper, which she said she could not have done without the support of her colleagues.
“I learned from watching my previous editors,” she said. “I asked questions and they showed me the ropes and gave me important tips. NAR and my peers really pushed me. I could not be more grateful.”
Weathersbee also interned in the college’s Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) to get a taste of what her future career goal, public relations, would be like.
“Dawn Zimmer, the Media Relations Manager at IA, was always so patient and supportive throughout my time,” Weathersbee recalled. “She always allowed me to try new things. I was given the chance to work on social media, write press releases, help supervise the mascot at events and so much more.”
Weathersbee is transferring to Northern Arizona University where she will major in journalism and minor in public relations.
“I would have never started college without Maricopa Community Colleges District’s President Honors Scholarship, and I am honored to continue my education as an All-Arizona First Academic Team member,” Weathersbee remarked.
In addition to her All-Arizona tuition waiver and scholarship, Weathersbee is also the recipient of a national Coca-Cola Silver Team scholarship.
As a result of Weathersbee’s determination and persistence, she is not only the recipient of an All-Arizona tuition waiver and scholarship, and the Coca-Cola Silver Team scholarship, she is also this year’s class honors speaker.
Going to school, working three jobs and handling other unexpected life changes did not stop Weathersbee. She appreciates her friends, family and professors who believed in her throughout her journey and encouraged her to get out of her comfort zone.
“Everyone should remember that it does not hurt to try new experiences,” Weathersbee said. “You never know what opportunities await you.”