MESA, Arizona — Nov. 4, 2019 — The Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program named Mesa Community College student Audriana Mitchell the 2019-20 Miss Indian Arizona. Mitchell, a Navajo member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes and current MCC student studying communications and organizational management, competed against five contestants and will represent all 22 Arizona tribal nations at events across the United States.
“The American Indian Institute at MCC is very proud to recognize Audri in this capacity and wishes her all the best as she moves forward in this capacity,” said Jim Larney, director of the MCC American Indian Institute.
Audriana says she has a goal of serving as an ambassador for Native youth everywhere and much of her previous experience leading to this prestigious recognition has prepared her in numerous ways. She said she is excited to continue connecting Native youth with opportunities through engagement in their schools and communities. She also wants to travel to as many tribal communities as possible while in this role to meet, serve and teach youth how to become leaders capable of positively impacting and serving their tribes and nations.
Audriana spent many years serving and advocating for Native youth to learn how to overcome the many issues and challenges they face. She has served passionately as a volunteer, mentor, leader, peer guide, organizer and officer with local and national organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mesa Strength Youth Council, Mountain View High School Native American Club, UNITY’s (United National Indian Tribal Youth) 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders class of 2018, Miss Colorado River Indian Tribes (2018-19) and is current president of the MCC Intertribal Student Organization (ISO).
Through all of her experiences and recognitions, she has received an outpouring of support from friends and family but she says she honors the most important supporter, her mother Harlietta Mitchell.
“I am pleased to represent my community and look forward to connecting and supporting other Native youth,” Mitchell said. “I hope to make a positive impact on those I meet through this wonderful opportunity.”
Larney said during the time Audri has been at MCC, he has seen her grow as a student and a leader. She strengthened her leadership skills by assisting with outreach activities the MCC American Indian Institute provides to Native American students.
“She serves as a campus tour guide, participates in our student panels, is active in our ISO student club and currently serves as the President,” Larney said. “She is genuine in her interactions with campus visitors and is always willing to share her educational experience in assisting other students to navigate through a higher education institution.
“She is a great role model for American Indian students. She will be a wonderful ambassador as a representative of her tribal community and for MCC in serving as Miss Indian Arizona.”
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, MCC, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892
The Miss Indian Arizona Program began in 1961 resulting from an idea of then Arizona State Fair Director, Charles Garland. For the next 32 years, the Program was held on various Arizona reservations with sponsorship shared by the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, a 501(c) (3) organization, the State Fair Commission and the Arizona tribes. For seventeen of these years, the Colorado River Indian Tribes and the Irataba Society sponsored the Program on the Colorado River Indian Reservation in Parker, Arizona.
The Miss Indian Arizona Program began in 1961 resulting from an idea of then Arizona State Fair Director, Charles Garland. It was sponsored by the State Fair Commission and held during the State Fair for 5 years. Beginning in June of 1967, the Program was held on various Arizona reservations with sponsorship shared by the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, a 501(c) (3) organization, the State Fair Commission and the Arizona tribes. For seventeen of these years, the Colorado River Indian Tribes and the Irataba Society sponsored the Program on the Colorado River Indian Reservation in Parker, Arizona. In 2000, the Pageant returned to the Phoenix Metropolitan area under the sponsorship of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, and the newly-organized Miss Indian Arizona Association ("Association"). The Pageant officially became the Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program with a focus on academics and community service. The Association is responsible for raising all funds required to cover the expenses of the program and presenting the program on behalf of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA), the Association's fiscal agent. More at missindianarizona.com.
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs online, at its two campuses, the Mesa Downtown Center and additional locations. Through the implementation of Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services, MCC is transforming ways it champions student success; college completion, university transfer and career attainment for all students. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution. The diverse student body includes more than 400 international students representing over 60 countries. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training to empower MCC students to compete locally and globally. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Learn more at mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.