Commitment to Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Continues
MESA, Arizona – September 15, 2015 – Mesa Community College, after careful evaluation of changes in its priorities and fiscal realities, will close the Community College National Center for Community Engagement (CCNCCE), effective October 1, 2015.
As the host institution for CCNCCE since 1990, MCC is proud of the Center’s work and its contributions to advancing community engagement in higher education over the past 25 years. Despite this closure, MCC, along with other colleges within the Maricopa County Community College District, will continue to support service-learning and civic engagement at the local level.
“It has been an honor to be the hosting site for CCNCCE. We wish to thank everyone who worked side by side with CCNCCE to help meet its mission of integrating service-learning and civic engagement with the community college education. In particular, I want to thank Lyvier Conss for her outstanding leadership and contributions to this important work. The impact made by her work will be felt and appreciated for a long time to come,” said Dr. Shouan Pan, President, Mesa Community College.
Work will continue on the Student Learning for Civic Capacity Project – Stimulating Moral, Ethical, and Civic Engagement for Learning that Lasts, a three year project funded by The Teagle Foundation through CCNCCE in 2014. Lessons learned from this grant and other resources will be available on the CCNCCE website, ccncce.org, through 2016. Those in need of technical assistance regarding service-learning and civic engagement work to reference resources provided by Campus Compact, compact.org.
The important work of the CCNCCE was made possible through the financial support from many civic-minded foundations and organizations, including the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Learn and Serve America-Higher Education program, the Kettering Foundation, Campus Compact (through funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Arizona Community Foundation, Arizona Foundation for Women, Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Foundation, and The Teagle Foundation.
“The role of CCNCCE in the expansion of service-learning across the country cannot be emphasized enough,” said Gail Robinson, education consultant and former director of service-learning at the American Association of Community Colleges. “Besides its innovative grant programs, CCNCCE’s annual conference provided unmatched opportunities for community college faculty, staff, and administrators to learn from each other’s programs and make service learning and community engagement a central part of their students’ experience. MCC’s possible continuation of the conference would be invaluable to novice and experienced practitioners alike.”
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Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its service-learning, civic engagement and innovative educational programs, which include university transfer, career and technical, workforce development, and life-long learning. Host to 40,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degrees and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC’s student body hails predominantly from the East Valley of Phoenix and includes Veteran, American Indian and International students who enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, MCC is one of 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. The District also includes the Maricopa Corporate College and two skill centers. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) http://www.ncahlc.org, 800-621-7440.
The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.