Kali by Liz Allen MESA, Arizona – March 26, 2019 – Liz Allen, a Mesa Community College adjunct faculty member, was recently named Chair of the Board for the Society for Photographic Education.

Allen has taught photography at MCC, GCC and CGCC during her more than 20 years as contingent faculty. Allen has been a Society for Photographic Education (SPE) member since 2001 and served as the chair of the SPE’s Women’s Caucus for more than 10 years.

Professor Liz Allen Allen earned an MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1995 and has been curator of the Northlight Gallery at the ASU Herberger Institute's School of Art since 1999. Northlight exhibits a broad spectrum of photo-based work by internationally known, emerging and underrepresented artists.

“As contingent faculty traveling around the Valley to teach at different places, I am challenged to feel part of the academic community at any one institution," said Allen. “SPE has provided me with a professional community where my work is supported, valued and respected.”

According to SPE, the exhibitions she curates “demonstrate her profound interest in understanding, interpreting, and teaching the richness of photography as an evolving medium to an expanding community. The mission of the gallery under her direction has developed a dialog between established, emerging and underrepresented artists working in a broad spectrum of photo-based media in collaboration with scholars also interested in challenging our perceptions of the human experience.”

SPE is considered the leading forum for fostering understanding of photography in all its forms and strives to foster the development of its practice, teaching, scholarship and critical analysis. The organization engages its 1,800 worldwide membership and affiliated communities through conferences, events and publications.

# # #

Media Contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

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.