Mesa College Promise Scholarship program at MCC receives $10,000 gift from Dexcom

Three men wearing business suits and neckties. Director of Mesa Office of Economic Development, Bill Jabjiniak; Dexcom General Manager Jim Kasselmann; Mesa Mayor John Giles MESA, Arizona – Jan. 25, 2022 – Mesa-based Dexcom, Inc. donates a gift of $10,000 to the Mesa College Promise scholarship program at Mesa Community College.

Starting with the fall 2021 semester, Mesa College Promise is a commitment from the City of Mesa enabling eligible graduating high school students to attend MCC for two years with Arizona resident tuition and fees fully paid. Eligibility includes a high school GPA of 2.0 or better and Mesa residency. The flagship program also provides the student with their own academic advisor, a Promise orientation and career and financial aid advising.

“Dexcom is thrilled to partner with Mesa Community College and the City of Mesa in the Promise Scholarship program,” said Dexcom General Manager Jim Kasselmann. “Investing in education is a key element to sustained success for us and the residents of Mesa in the future!”

Dexcom is a global leader in innovative continuous glucose monitoring systems for patients with diabetes. It operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing center in west Mesa and a 500,000-square-foot regional distribution center in the Mesa Gateway area and is headquartered in San Diego.

“One hundred fifty-three students applied to the Promise program and of those, 96 were eligible to receive the scholarship,” said MCC Interim President Lori Berquam, Ph.D. Of those 96 eligible students 85 were awarded scholarships. “With the pandemic affecting high school students working to complete their studies online, we are pleased to offer this program to these exceptional students and to welcome the next generation of community college learners.”

“Dexcom has been a solid partner, not just to the Mesa community, but also to the region and the state,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles. “I’m grateful for their commitment to the Mesa College Promise--playing a role in preparing our future workforce and helping to make community college a viable next step to qualified graduating high school students.”

In addition to its support of Mesa College Promise, Dexcom has provided financial support to numerous organizations and causes throughout the Valley including partnerships with

Arizona State University and HandsOn Greater Phoenix to offer a Covid-19 vaccination site in metro Phoenix.

Along with the gift from Dexcom, the Promise program is funded by a $100,000 financial promise from the City of Mesa, which also issued a challenge to businesses and philanthropists to match the funds, contributions from 10 businesses and individuals, and the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

Learn more about the Mesa College Promise at mesacc.edu/mesa-promise.

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu or 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. For more than 50 years, the college has served 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 at its two campuses, additional locations and a combination of online formats. Through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, MCC is transforming how it champions student success, college completion, university transfer and career attainment and advancement. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution and nearly 50% of its students are the first in their families to attend college. Its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized tribes of Arizona as well as out-of-state tribes. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The diverse student body includes more than 300 international students from 55 countries. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to successfully transfer to a university or compete in the workforce. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, 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) -- hlcommission.org.

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 http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.