MESA, Arizona – May 5, 2016 – On May 13, Mesa Community College (MCC) will recognize the accomplishments of its graduates for the 2015-16 academic year at a commencement ceremony in the campus courtyard of MCC’s Southern and Dobson campus. The processional begins at 7:15 p.m., followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. The general public is invited to the ceremony.
Mesa Mayor John Giles will be the commencement speaker. Giles earned degrees from Brigham Young University in Political Science and Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. He has managed his own law firm in downtown Mesa for the past 20 years.
As Mayor, Giles serves on numerous local and regional boards and committees. Born and raised in Mesa, he graduated from Westwood High School in 1978. Giles is a marathoner and triathlete who has completed two full Ironman competitions, 20 marathons and four Boston Marathons. In 2013, he was named “Mesa Man of the Year.”
Joining Giles at the podium will be student speaker Misty Stickney, a non-traditional honors student at MCC, majoring in Parks and Recreation Management. In addition to receiving an associate degree with highest distinction, she is an All-Arizona Academic First Team Scholar (among top 20 community college graduates in the state) and a 2016 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Bronze Scholar (a high achieving two-year college student who demonstrates academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service accomplishments). Stickney is also the recipient of prestigious awards such as the 2016 Maricopa Community Colleges’ Artists of Promise and 2015 Mesa Community College Service Scholar.
Stickney is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and National Society of Leadership and Success. She will be transferring to Northern Arizona University to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Management with an emphasis in Community, Commercial and Tourism.
Stickney overcame multiple challenges during her time at MCC, including the murder of her grandmother, but was determined to continue on a path to complete her academic goals.
She said, “These adversities helped me emerge into a confident person with purpose and intention. In the future, I aspire to work towards becoming a Recreation Activities Director who initiates and mobilizes communities to use recreational activities for social growth and development. Continuing my volunteer participation is essential for me to reach my goals of personal and professional success. Intentionally setting my goals high enables me to continuously recognize my future potential.”
2015-16: Graduation Statistics:
Total number of graduates for the summer, fall and spring semesters: 2,584
Number of graduates participating in the commencement ceremony: 573
Number of degrees and certificates issued: 4,818
Specialized Ceremonies:
Nursing Ceremony, May 9, 2 and 7 p.m., Southern and Dobson campus, Performing Arts Center.
Dental Hygiene Ceremony, May 11, 6:30 p.m., Red Mountain campus, Community Room.
Mortuary Science Ceremony, May 12, 10 a.m., Southern and Dobson campus, Navajo Room.
Additional information about MCC’s Graduation Ceremony, including maps, parking, photography and special accommodations is available online at mesacc.edu/graduation. Although every graduate has a tale to tell of the path that led them to this special moment, we’ve shared a few success stories here: https://www.mesacc.edu/graduation/graduation-success-stories/spring-2016-stories
MCC is participating in two sustainability initiatives: Greener Grads, a gown recycling program launched out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an organization that works to drastically reduce the scholastic ecological footprint and change the way graduation is done throughout the United States. MCC students are also encouraged to sign the Green Graduation Pledge to help encourage sustainability in the workplace as they join more than 1,000,000 students entering the workforce.
Commencement photos will be posted online at: facebook.com/mesacc
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Contact: Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
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 lifelong learning. Host to 40,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degree 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. 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.