MESA, Arizona – April 22, 2026 – Four academically outstanding Mesa Community College (MCC) students, Toni-Ann Gardner, Pranay Modha, Lena Nape and David Robinson, were honored among 71 students from 19 community colleges across Arizona, for their exceptional achievements and accomplished leadership skills at the 2026 All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony on April 22 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Mesa.
“It is my pleasure to recognize the achievements of these remarkable students dedicated to academic excellence, career success and making a positive impact in their communities,” said MCC President Dr. Richard Daniel. “I’m proud of the role MCC has played in support of their academic careers and the opportunities the college has provided to further their success. With such promising futures, I look forward to hearing about the great things they’ll accomplish.”
MCC All-Arizona honoree Gardner will transfer to Arizona State University (ASU) to pursue a bachelor’s degree in graphic information technology. Her goal is to become a full-time graphic designer and work with Arizona businesses and organizations to meet their digital needs while engaging with Arizona’s local art communities. She is a Presidents’ Honors scholar, an Honors Program member and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society member.
Planning to transfer to the University of Arizona’s (Arizona) College of Science to finish his bachelor’s degree in computer science, Modha’s career goal is to be a machine learning engineer in the industry, using his knowledge to make a better future for the world. He is a Presidents’ Honors scholar and a member of PTK Honor Society and Sigma Chi Eta.
Modha was also named a member of the 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team and will receive a $1,300 scholarship. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the national Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing scholars from across the country with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually.
Transferring to ASU, Nape will work toward a bachelor's in fine arts with an emphasis in painting. Her career goal is to showcase her work in art exhibitions while working as a freelance artist and pursuing a minor in entrepreneurship. She is an Emerging Artist Scholarship recipient, a Presidents’ Honors Scholar and president of the PTK chapter at MCC.
Robinson plans to transfer to ASU to complete his medical school prerequisites, then apply to the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. His career goal is to become a neurosurgeon focused on improving outcomes for cancer patients. Robinson is a Fall 2025 President’s List recipient and PTK Honor Society member.
All-Arizona Academic Teams are judged in three rounds. First-round judges consist of local businesses and civic, education and government leaders. The second and third round judging occurs in Washington, D.C. by representatives from federal agencies and national education associations. Scores from the national competition are used to rank the students for the state team. Gardner, Modha and Nape were each named First Team members and will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Robinson was named to the Second Team and will be awarded a $750 scholarship.
The keynote speaker was Cassandra Holcombe, a 2016 All-Arizona Academic Team honoree who is currently a Student Engagement Coordinator at Central Arizona College (CAC). Her topic was "Perfectly Imperfect Decisions: Imagine Your Future Today.”
A graduate of CAC, Holcombe transitioned to ASU where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s in communication. She has spent the last 10 years working in higher education, also serving as an enrollment and PTK advisor, TRIO Student Support Services program assistant, English tutor and sustainability assistant. Her passion for community service is reflected in the many organizations to which she has devoted her free time including coaching youth soccer for the City of Maricopa and volunteering with Feed My Starving Children and the Pinal County Animal Shelter. Holcombe has also served on the executive board of The Power of 100 Women for Pinal County.
Other speakers included Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges, representing our system’s 10 colleges along with the Arizona Community College Coordinating Council, who welcomed attendees and kicked off the celebration which was emceed by MCC Thunderbird alumnus Ian Schwartz. Erin Hart from Governor Katie Hobbs' office read a proclamation prior to a video message from the governor, and Dr. Larry Penley from the Arizona Board of Regents spoke about the voucher from the Board of Regents for a free year of tuition at one of Arizona's state universities.
All-Arizona honorees demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual tenacity combined with leadership and service that expand their education beyond the classroom to benefit their communities and society. Each is working toward an associate’s degree, maintains a GPA of 3.5 or higher (4.0 scale) and is involved in campus and community volunteer activities.
Organizations such as PTK, the international honor society for two-year colleges and academic programs, the American Association of Community Colleges, the Arizona Community Colleges Coordinating Council, the Arizona Board of Regents and Follett Higher Education Group help these extraordinary students reach their educational goals by awarding scholarships and issuing tuition waivers for Arizona’s three state universities: ASU, Northern Arizona University and Arizona.
All-Arizona Academic Team members are eligible to be selected as one of 22 named to the All-USA Community College Academic Team, receiving an additional $5,000 scholarship, medallion, obelisk and certificate during the American Association of Community Colleges annual convention held April 10-14 in Seattle.
Visit azregents.edu/programs/all-arizona-academic-team to learn more about the All-Arizona Academic Team program.
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A recording of the ceremony is available at: mesacc.edu/live
Media Contact: Dawn Zimmer, [email protected], 480-461-7892
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.