MESA, Arizona – Mesa Community College (MCC) sociology faculty Mona Scott was awarded the 2015 Veora E. Johnson Spirit of Unity, Educator of the Year award during the City of Mesa’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration on Jan. 19.
Four MCC students received scholarships from the Mesa MLK committee during the same event. The Mesa MLK committee is a group of Valley citizens dedicated to fulfilling the mission of preserving Dr. King’s philosophy.
“I am honored to receive this award and will continue to work toward Dr. King’s philosophy of peace, justice, freedom, and equality by encouraging communication and unity amongst the diverse student population at MCC and through working toward justice and equity in our society,” Scott said.
Scott was awarded for her work with students in and outside of the classroom. Her students have participated in the Phoenix Indian Medical Center’s World AIDS Day, the MCC STI Awareness Day and worked with C.A.R.E. Partnership, Terros, Maricopa Department of Health and the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.
In the classroom, she encourages her students to interview and explore the racial attitudes of friends and family and attend lectures and presentations about race. After these experiences, the students examine ways to make personal changes that will lead to increased equity in society.
Additionally, Scott is working with ASU president Michael Crow’s task force to commemorate Dr. King’s speech at ASU, given over 50 years ago, in an effort to change perspectives and attitudes in Arizona and help students of color feel welcome.
Four MCC students were presented with $250 MLK scholarships during the evening celebration. These recipients are: Salwa Ahmed of Tempe, Denise Horton of Mesa, Dominique Hunter of Mesa and Neal Glover of Mesa.
Scholarship recipient Ahmed, who plans to graduate from MCC and pursue a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, said, “My career goal is to work as an advisor or counselor at a college, helping international students to adjust to their new culture in the United States. I plan to use the money to sign up for more classes toward my degree. Additionally, the award will motivate me to be more involved in diversity and minority programs at the school.”
Mesa’s annual MLK celebrations were created after residents, in 1996, voted to establish a citywide holiday recognizing the leadership of Dr. King. For more information, click here.
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Contact
Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
About Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its high-quality 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 200 degrees and certificates at its two campuses and additional locations. Our diverse student body hails predominantly from the East Valley region of metropolitan Phoenix, and international students from 50 countries enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty dedicated to student success provide the education and training that empower MCC students to compete locally and globally. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, MCC is one of 11 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.
The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.