Partnership escalates college credential attainment

MESA, Arizona – March 2, 2017 – An enhanced partnership between Mesa Public Schools and Mesa Community College aims to increase attainment of post-secondary credentials. Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, six Mesa high schools will have a full-time MCC college advisor to assist students in preparing for their futures.

“We are excited to have the MCC advisors on our high school campuses,” said Dr. Michael Cowan, Superintendent of Mesa Public Schools. “They will be a valuable resource for our students and staff, and reinforce our commitment to college- and career-readiness for all graduates.”  

Other institutions of higher education have successfully used this model of embedding a college advisor in high schools to increase college enrollment and the pursuit of a post-secondary credential.

MCC's Interim President Sasan Poureetezadi said MCC is committed to expanding access to college programs and services and escalating student success.

"The college advisors will provide students and parents continual access to college resources and support, preparing them to seamlessly transition to MCC certificate and degree pathways. The goal is to positively impact economic development and meet workforce needs,” said Poureetezadi. “By design, we will also increase the pipeline of well-prepared transfer students to our state universities.”

“This is an excellent step in getting our high school students connected to a rewarding post-secondary education,” Mayor John Giles said. “Mesa’s growing economy relies on an educated workforce and this partnership between Mesa Community College and Mesa Public Schools will help deliver that workforce and develop successful careers for our students.”

These college advisors will become an integral part of MPS by assisting students in earning college credits through Early College programs; facilitating placement testing; developing career plans using the MPS Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP); guiding students through the enrollment process; and assisting students with financial aid and scholarships so they may pursue their educational goals at MCC.  

“As Arizona’s largest workforce training provider, the Maricopa County Community College District is pleased to support the partnership between MCC and Mesa Public Schools to offer this innovative solution aimed at assisting Mesa high school students’ seamless transition to college. By embedding full-time Mesa Community College advisory services into the MPS high school campuses, MCCCD continues to meet its mission of expanding community access to higher education opportunities and support students as they pursue their educational and employment goals,” said MCCCD Chancellor, Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick. 

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Media Contact
Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for service-learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and​ innovative ​approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning.  Host to 30,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution with a diverse student body that enriches the learning experience​. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. MCC, located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona,​ is one of the 10 colleges ​that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.

Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) http://www.ncahlc.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.

Unprecedented Excellence in Education
Mesa Public Schools, the largest school district in Arizona, serves more than 64,000 students. The award-winning district includes 23 A+ Schools of Excellence and 16 Civic Engagement Schools. Students excel in academic programs such as International Baccalaureate, AP Capstone, STEM, Montessori and back to basics. And opportunities abound in career and technical education, music and performing arts, athletics and service learning. For more information about Mesa Public Schools, visit www.mpsaz.org. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @mpsaz. Find us on YouTube @mpsazTV.

Source Details

Publication Date: 
Thursday, March 2, 2017