MESA, Arizona – Dec. 23, 2025 – Twenty-two students in the Mesa Community College (MCC) Paramedicine program were honored in a graduation ceremony on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to pass the national certification exam to achieve the highest certification level of a pre-hospital care provider in the U.S., essential to becoming competent, entry-level certified National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) paramedics.
The Paramedicine program at MCC, ranked among the top five best in the nation by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession, is nationally accredited and maintains one of the highest first time NREMT pass/success rates in Arizona–well above the national average, said Jamie Tate, MCC Paramedicine program director.
Students, who are selected for the program by a highly competitive process, can earn a Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Paramedicine or an Associate's Degree in Applied Sciences (AAS) in Paramedicine. The AAS Degree is transferable to most in-state universities.
Each year the top five students in the program are recognized with academic achievement awards. This year’s recipients are Joseph Cline, Mike Fuller, Collin Bean, Jonny Benedetti and Jordan Elio.
“It is with great pride that we honor these exceptional individuals who have distinguished themselves through hard work and outstanding accomplishments,” said Tate. “They have demonstrated their dedication to service and a high level of medical and clinical knowledge which are critical in providing emergency, on-scene treatment, crisis intervention and life-saving stabilization.”
Elio was also named the program’s distinguished 2025 Top Gun, an annual award bestowed upon a student, selected from among the academic achievement honorees, by peers and faculty. This individual has performed at a high level academically and displays leadership, teamwork, humility and other skillsets, Tate explained. The name, Top Gun, “is a play on the Top Gun movie and represents the best of the best.”
Tate pointed out that a distinctive aspect of the MCC paramedicine program is the concept of The Bar. “Paramedics are faced with critical, dynamic situations where decisions we make have a lasting effect. If I call 911, am I comfortable and confident enough to entrust the paramedic with those who are most special and precious to me–family, friends and loved ones–to treat, care for and manage?
“Our goal is to create smart, competent, critically thinking paramedics to whom I would hand my loved ones over on my/their worst day with confidence.”
To be eligible for the MCC Paramedicine program, individuals must first earn an EMT certification. Enrollment is currently open for Spring 2026. Learn more at mesacc.edu/ems.
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, [email protected], 480-461-7892
Mesa Community College (MCC), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary during 2025, 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.