MESA, Arizona -- June 23, 2025 -- Mesa Community College (MCC) continues to lead in student civic engagement, with recent national recognitions and participation in a major student voting summit underscoring the institution’s commitment to empowering student voters.
MCC Student Selected for 2025 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll
MCC student Celeste Whiterock was named to the 2025 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll, recognizing her commitment to increasing student voter participation during the 2024 election cycle. Celeste is one of just 37 students nationwide honored for their outstanding leadership in nonpartisan civic engagement.
“Despite long lines and an increase in restrictive voting laws, college students did not sleep in on Election Day they were determined to make their voices heard in 2024,” said Jen Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “The award winners recognized today lead by example, making nonpartisan voter participation a core part of campus life.”
ALL IN supports over 1,020 campuses nationwide in integrating democratic engagement into campus culture.
MCC Named a 2025 Voter Friendly Campus
Mesa Community College earned designation as a 2025 Voter Friendly Campus by the Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. This designation is awarded to colleges and universities that have institutionalized practices to encourage student registration and voting, not just in federal election years, but every year.
MCC was evaluated based on its comprehensive 2025 action plan, implementation strategies to educate and engage student voters, and its final assessment of outcomes. This recognition highlights MCC’s sustained efforts to reduce barriers to voting and fostering a culture of civic engagement.
Learn Students Vote (SLSV) National Summit.
MCC Coordinator Alejandra Maya Speaks at 2024 Students Learn Students Vote Summit
Alejandra Maya, Civic Engagement Program Coordinator at MCC, was invited to present at the Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) National Summit held November 2024 at the University of Maryland, College Park. The summit, hosted by SLSV, is the nation's largest nonpartisan network focused on student voter participation brought together civic leaders and campus organizers from across the country.
Maya spoke on a panel highlighting the lasting impact of the #StudentVote movement and shared MCC’s innovative 2024 Action Plan, detailing unexpected challenges during the presidential campaign and the strategies MCC used to overcome them. She also highlighted the collaborative support from key campus and community partners including:
- MCC Student Life & Leadership
- Associated Students of MCC (ASMCC)
- MCC Center for Community & Civic Engagement’s (CCCE) Federal Work Study Program
- Andrew Goodman Ambassadors
- Campus Vote Project
- Arizona Clean Elections
- ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
- Students Learn Students Vote Coalition
The 2024-2025 MCC Campus Democratic Engagement Action Plan is available on the CCCE section of the college's website.
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, [email protected]
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 over 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. For nearly 60 years, MCC has been 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. The MCC American Indian Institute supports 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 and training. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional lands of the O'odham, Piipaash, and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu.
MCC 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 www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.