MESA, Arizona – Sept. 4, 2026 – The Mesa Community College (MCC) Nursing Program has been awarded continuing accreditation for an additional eight years for its commitment to quality, excellence and effectiveness in nursing education and an evidence-based approach to continuous improvement. The next accreditation evaluation is scheduled for Fall 2033.
Granted by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), continuing accreditation reflects ACEN’s confidence that the MCC Nursing Program “provides high-quality nursing education and the leadership, resources, evaluation processes and commitment to continuous improvement necessary to sustain excellence and effectively prepare the next generation of registered nurses,” said MCC Faculty Chair and Nursing Program Director Denise Lewis.
Strong partnerships with healthcare agencies, support for student success and the program’s ability to prepare competent, practice-ready graduates who meet the healthcare needs of Arizona were also important components of the review.
“Continuing accreditation reaffirms MCC’s longstanding reputation as a leader in nursing education,” Lewis continued. “The MCC Nursing Program has been preparing nurses for Arizona’s healthcare workforce since 1969, and continuing accreditation validates the quality and effectiveness of the education we provide.”
ACEN accreditation also provides a framework for continuous quality improvement which allows the nursing program to identify areas of improvement, implement targeted changes and
continually enhance the educational experience and student success across all nursing pathways.
“I am most proud of our faculty’s unwavering commitment to student success and the family-like culture we have created within the nursing program,” she added. “Our faculty brings extensive
clinical expertise while genuinely caring about each student’s growth, success and well-being.”
Lewis said she’s also proud of the program’s innovative teaching strategies, including simulation-based learning, strong clinical partnerships throughout the Valley and the integration of evidence-based practice and clinical judgment throughout the curriculum. These efforts create a supportive learning environment where students develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and compassion needed to become safe, practice-ready registered nurses.
“For our students, accreditation ensures they are graduating from a nationally recognized
program that meets rigorous educational standards. For the college and our community, it
demonstrates MCC’s ongoing commitment to preparing competent, compassionate, practice- ready nurses while reinforcing the confidence that healthcare partners, employers and
prospective students place in our program,” Lewis explained.
In May 2026, 84 students were awarded nursing degrees from MCC, joining thousands of MCC nursing alumni who serve communities throughout Arizona and beyond.
Nearly 400 students are enrolled in the nursing program for the Fall 2026 semester across multiple pathways, including traditional Associate Degree Nursing, Concurrent Enrollment Program, Paramedic-to-RN, Practical Nurse-to-RN, Nurse Refreshers, and Partnerships (Banner Health, Ensign and Honor Health).
Lewis noted, “These options are helping to expand access to nursing education and support Arizona’s growing healthcare workforce needs.”
To learn more about the program or to register for classes, visit mesacc.edu/nursing. department webpage.
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, [email protected]
Mesa Community College (MCC) is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative education. Serving more than 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. MCC serves as a key resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees and it boasts the largest Indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges, supporting students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu/newsroom.
MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO 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.