MESA, Arizona – March 5, 2020 – Mesa Community College (MCC) student Andrea Astorga-German has been named as MCC’s representative in the 2020 Newman Civic Fellowship of student leaders.
Dr. Lori Berquam, MCC interim president, nominated Astorga-German for this recognition, stating that, “Andrea has been an influential agent for campus and community involvement during her time at Mesa Community College (MCC). One of the areas that served as a catalyst for Andrea becoming committed to civic engagement was her involvement in projects with the Center for Community & Civic Engagement.” Berquam continued, “Her various roles in this department taught Andrea the importance of finding needs within communities and tailoring high quality projects to address them. She has spent hundreds of hours in leadership positions honing those skills and has mentored other students to do the same.”
Astorga-German, a second year student at MCC, is an active servant leader. Through her concerted efforts with the college and community, she has shown consistently that she is attentive to the growth and well-being of others. During her tenure at MCC, she has been involved with the Center for Community & Civic Engagement, Community Engagement Advisory Board, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, First Year Experience, Thunderbird Mentoring Program, Arizona Governor’s Office, City of Mesa, Census Bureau, and Eisenhower Center for Innovation. In the community, she has volunteered with the Eisenhower Center for Innovation, AZ Burn Foundation, Census Bureau promoting the 2020 Census, City of Mesa, and the Governor’s Office by participating in the Arizona Summit on Volunteerism and Civic Engagement.
The Newman Civic Fellowship Award honors inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. Through service, research and advocacy, Newman Civic Fellows make the most of their college experience to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.
In her personal statement, Astorga-German says that, “As a first-generation minority female college student, I have first-hand experience of the insufficient knowledge and support that is available to individuals like myself. I was fortunate to get connected early on with programs and resources that propelled my college experience. As a result, I have rendered hundreds of hours of service to individuals like myself to ensure they are successful in college.”
The Newman Civic Fellowship is named in honor of Campus Compact founder, Frank Newman, who was a passionate advocate for broadening opportunities for diverse and economically challenged students to have a college education and equally passionate in his advocacy for students to fulfill their roles as active citizens. Newman said, “The most important thing an institution does is not to prepare a student for a career, but for life as a citizen. “
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu or 480-461-7892
Campus Compact is a national coalition of 1,000+ colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. The organization builds democracy through civic education and community development. One of their featured initiatives is the Newman Civic Fellowship. Visit https://compact.org/newman-civic-fellowship/ to learn more.
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 has served as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning throughout its 50-year history. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs online, and at its two campuses and additional locations. Through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services, MCC is transforming the ways it champions student success, college completion, university transfer and career attainment or advancement. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution and more than 50% of its students are the first in their family to attend college. Its American Indian Institute serves 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes and more than 30 out-of-state tribes. 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 that empowers MCC students to successfully compete in the workforce. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.
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.