Model UN Alumnus Working Dream Job at United Nations
Aaron Holtz’s passion for international relations began on Sept. 11, 2001, as he watched planes crash into the World Trade Center in New York City on a television at Mesa Community College. After watching the chaos on the screen, he walked to his next class taught by Brian Dille, Ph.D., professor of political science.
“No one knew what was going on,” Holtz said. “I went to Dille’s…
As a first-generation college student, Abby Scott Nonthe, 25, found the Achieving a College Education (ACE) Program at Carson Junior High School in Mesa a great way to provide a solid start on her college education. ACE, a nationally recognized scholarship program that gives qualified students the chance to take college credit courses while still enrolled in high school, enables students to…
In 2018, Abigaly “Abby” Atonal Rodriguez nearly dropped out of Mesa Community College due to financial insecurities and fear of failure. But she didn’t.
“The reason I stayed was because I had found people that cared about me as a person, as a scholar and as a leader on campus and in the community,” said Atonal Rodriguez, 21, a Gilbert resident. “Suddenly I felt like I wasn't just this…
MCC was the perfect choice when Addison decided to major in psychology. It remained the perfect choice when he switched majors to game technology. “I decided MCC was best instead of going straight to a university for the time being,” he explains. “I wanted to start out a bit smaller and work towards my goals one step at a time instead of being thrown onto a big campus.”
Addison earned a…
For Alan Beveridge, 46, of Chandler, juggling a job, a family and maintaining at 3.94 GPA while attending Mesa Community College was a challenge, but the task was made easier with the guidance of MCC instructors.
“It all comes down to the instructors,” Beveridge said. “MCC instructors Preston Cameron, Edd Welsh and Jack Mullins set excellent examples. We have…
The warm Arizona air was filled with possibility when 18-year-old Alan Saquella first drove through Mesa, Arizona, in 1979. His parents had just sold their business in New York after falling in love with the landscape of the east valley during a business trip. As the family settled into their new home, Alan discovered Mesa Community College almost by chance. Located just down the…
Mesa Community College Student Turns Her Love for Animals into a Career as a Veterinary Technician
“When the power of love is greater than the love of the power, the world would know peace,” is a code Alexis Reid lives by every day.
Alexis Reid’s passion for animals started at a young age growing up in Beaufort, South Carolina.
At first, she wanted to be a firefighter and then thought about the military. Now she is studying to be a…
Mesa Community College had just what Alia Brown was looking for when it was time for her transition from high school into college.
Coming from a small Montessori school, she was used to small class sizes and personal interaction with professors. Brown first heard about MCC through her grandparents Roz and Lee Featherston.
“I came here because I wanted to have a smoother/calmer…
MCC Student Finds Help to Fulfill Promise to Never Quit
Mesa Community College’s Alisa Tripiciano had accumulated nearly half of her credits for a degree in social work when fate intervened in 2005. A severe car crash resulted in serious spinal injuries and head trauma. Her doctors were amazed she survived the accident. Prior to surgery to remove bone fragments from her spine, they told her it was likely she would be paralyzed.
…
Basketball Player Alli Gloyd is Top Overall Female Athlete
Mesa Community College Basketball team member, Alli Gloyd, was chosen as the top MCC Thunderbird overall female athlete for 2011-2012. Over the past two years she has earned numerous honors.
Other awards Alli claimed this year include: 2012 Player of the Year in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC); 2012 First Team All- American; 2012 First Team All-…
First Generation Student Credits Family and MCC Resources
It’s often a challenge to be a first-generation college student. Coming from a family without a college-going tradition can bring additional challenges and open the door for participation in supportive groups or programs.
Mesa Community College student Amanda Camacho, a 21-year-old resident of Tempe, has experienced firsthand the ups and downs of college…
Chandler resident Anastasia Eames, 21, said being part of the first group of Mesa Community College students to receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Early Childhood Education, Dual Language, has been an inspiring experience.
“I have enjoyed being part of a group that has worked together from the beginning,” Eames said. “It really helps with getting support from peers in class when needed.…
Biology Student Conducts Research at Petrified Forest
Mesa Community College biology student Andy Bridges has really had a “hands on” experience working in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park. In the past two seasons at the park he captured, marked, measured and weighed more than 1,200 lizards, snakes, toads and small mammals.
In his paid position as a Seasonal Biological Technician in the park, Bridges gathered data to contribute to a…
Ange Good Bear’s Dedication Gets Her Degree at Mesa Community College
Ange Good Bear began her quest for an education after going through a divorce in August 2005. She knew she had to do something to support her children so she enrolled that fall at Everest College. She completed a Medical Assisting certificate and worked in the field for two years. However, her dream was to become a nurse.
In late 2006, Ange’s oldest daughter who was a…
A Life Led to Encanto: Why MCC ‘Charmed’ Alumni Angel Ruvalcaba
Throughout his early life and as a first generation college student, Angel Ruvalcaba was captivated by comics and movies, and loved to tell stories through his digital art and drawings. Today he is a production assistant at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, a career move that he said could not have happened without Mesa Community College.
Born into a large Latinx…
MCC Student Overcomes Health Issues to Forge Better Life
Mesa Community College’s Angela Coleman refuses to allow her health issues to keep her from success.
A former cosmetologist who had to give up her business because she could no longer stand, Angela suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, hypoglycemia, neuropathy, and other ailments, including a failing right kidney.
Angela lived in Seattle…
When Mesa Community College international student and construction management major Anny Torres Gallego completes her Associate in Applied Science degree this spring, she joins a growing group of women who are choosing careers in the construction field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of females in the U.S. construction industry grew from 5.9 percent in 2003,…
For Mesa Community College student Anthony Gilbertson, 31, earning a degree might have taken a bit longer than expected, but he never gave up. This month, the proud psychology major will receive two associate degrees and an Arizona General Education Curriculum certificate.
Gilbertson has worked hard to get to this point.
“As the son of a single…
Local School Teacher Finds Success at MCC
When Arlen Sykes retired from the U.S. Navy, he decided to attend Mesa Community College to become a physics teacher.
It didn’t take him long to switch his major.
“I wasn’t doing well in math, and I went to Dr. Ewing, and she said maybe it’s a good thing, because what kind of teacher would you be when it’s hard to associate with those struggling in class,” he said of his math…
Student Overcomes Odds to Complete Degree
Aron Mixson, 27, of Mesa, has overcome great odds to complete his Associate in Arts degree at Mesa Community College. But he’s not quite finished. In the fall he will transfer to Arizona State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree so he can achieve his goal of becoming a software engineer.
During his early childhood, Mixson’s mother struggled with drug…
The month of May will be an important one for Asmera McNeace, 18, of Mesa. That’s when he will graduate from both high school and college.
McNeace was homeschooled and chose to attend MCC because it was close to his home.
He said he learned many things during his quest to complete his educational goals.
“There weren’t too many obstacles that I had to overcome during my…
Passion for Education
Many staff and students on both Mesa Community College campuses find inspiration when speaking with Astika Anak Agung. At age 66, he’s graduating with an associate’s degree in arts and plans to transfer to Northern Arizona University to pursue a degree in public administration.
After a lifetime of varied occupations, Agung may be ready to retire, but he’s…
Benjamin Rundall’s Passion for Education and Helping Others is Found at MCC
“Sorry if my phone gets disconnected–the cell reception might go in and out up here,” says MCC alumnus Benjamin Rundall on a return trip from the Navajo Nation. A civil rights attorney, Rundall speaks of bidding on a proposal to do work on the reservation, a contract supporting the rights to tribal sovereignty under Federal Indian Law.
It’s part of the demands of the job, yet…
Gramma Goes to College
Bonnie J. Brockway, a 72-years-young great-grandma and soon-to-be college graduate, was a bit worried when she went back to school at age 70. She wondered if the professors and students at Mesa Community College would think of her as merely an old lady taking a break from her knitting, not a serious student.
She soon learned, however, that she had no need to…
MCC Alumnus Now Member of Rising Country Group Due West
Mesa Community College alumnus Brad Hull recently experienced the thrill of walking the red carpet at the Country Music Awards as a member of the country trio Due West.
Hull, who began his career in music at MCC, said he and his band had a hard time believing they were at the awards show as artists, not just fans.
“To be on the other side was surreal,” Hull said. “We have all…
MCC Student, 16, to Receive College, then High School Diploma
Brandon Alexander, 16, has two graduation ceremonies this month. On May 9, he will cross the stage to receive two associate’s degrees from Mesa Community College. Then, 6 days later, he will receive his high school diploma from AAEC Red Mountain Charter School.
It might sound a little backward, but for Brandon, a physics and business major, it’s the result of…
Q&A with Brian Koeneman, Clinical Director for Laboratory Sciences of AZ
1) Please describe your affiliation with MCC.
As a senior in high school I had a few required classes left to complete for graduation and had to make a decision regarding what to do with my extra time before starting college the following year. Options of a part-time job, extra-curricular activities, and elective high school classes were considered, then a family…
Brock Blasdell’s journey in journalism began while living abroad in Central America in 2012. During an education stint in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Blasdell wrote his first published article about living abroad in a community of American ex-patriots. Just 16 at the time, he had no way of knowing how deeply involved writing would become in his life.
After moving back to his home state of…
Brooklynn Nichole Contreras, 18, says the experience of meeting First Lady Jill Biden at Mesa Community College left her speechless. Biden visited MCC to recognize the success of the Mesa College Promise Program, which financially assisted Contreras as she attended college.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to meet her," said Contreras, who lives in Mesa. "It was an amazing…
Mesa Community College student Bryan Plummer was one of 80 students from community colleges in 28 states and Puerto Rico who were selected to travel to a NASA center to develop robotic rovers. The National Community College Aerospace Scholars program encourages students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Plummer visited NASA's Jet…
Candace Wilson’s inability to calculate math nearly stopped her from achieving her dream of a college education. Thanks to the encouragement from instructors and classmates, she will see her dream come true when she receives her Associate of Arts degree during MCC’s Commencement ceremony.
Wilson said she has had an amazing three years at MCC, filled with…
Carmella Baldwin, 19, of Chandler, said she will never forget her experience as a student athlete at Mesa Community College. She decided to attend MCC when Coach Dan Pescador reached out to her and offered her an athletic scholarship for cross country and track.
“The athletic department staff and my coach cultivated an environment where I felt comfortable and was encouraged to reach my…
When Celina Johnson was growing up, she was inspired to look into the dental field by her own dental hygienist, who went went above and beyond the minimal basic standard of care.
“She was extremely compassionate and it was obvious that she loved her career and her patients,” Johnson said. “I’ve always respected and been inspired by impassioned people such as…
Struggling to determine her path in life, Charis Hayward turned to Mesa Community College which gave her direction and purpose.
Charis had been working towards her Associate in Arts degree from Paradise Valley Community College when Covid-19 hit. The switch to all virtual classes made the 22-year-old decide to take a journalism course through MCC in spring 2021.
"As soon as I…
Dr. Charles A. Finch
Dr. Charles A. Finch, an MCC Alumnus, Gives Back Through Mock Emergency Scenario
Emergency Medicine (EM) physician Charles A. Finch of Scottsdale Emergency Associates, who works at the HonorHealth Scottsdale Hospitals, recently lent his EM expertise to Mesa Community College students amidst gunshot wounds, burn victims and mental health “patients.”
Finch, an MCC alumnus and medical director of the Fire Science Paramedic and EMT Program, attended the college in 1985…
First semester MCC Automotive Service student Charles Spencer is a third generation car enthusiast planning to follow his dad and grandfather into a career in the automotive industry. At 18 and barely out of high school, he was recently recognized by the national Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) for winning the Young Guns division of the Battle of the Builder competition at SEMA’s…
Mesa Community College (MCC) was just the place for Charlotte Fornasiero, 22, of Mesa, to try out higher education when she was not quite ready to jump directly into college after high school graduation. After a tumultuous childhood, she took a few years off to decide what she wanted to do next.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without MCC,” Fornasiero said. “I highly recommend the…
MCC Grad Motivates Others
Cheryl Fillmore’s degree may have taken 38 years to complete, but she’s thrilled about the accomplishment and likes to motivate others with her story. When Fillmore, 55, graduated from high school in Detroit in 1977, she planned to go to college, but important things like children, work and illness always impeded her progress. After three attempts over the last four decades,…
You might describe Christian Armanti’s first day of classes at Mesa Community College (MCC) as a jaw-dropping experience. Not for him, but for his professors and classmates. Armanti, a 12-year-old homeschooled student, said in one class he could hear a pin drop when he opened the door.
“The first week was awkward, but as time passed, the students were very welcoming... The professors,…
Grad Finds her Creative Niche at MCC
Creativity is important to Mesa Community College graduate Christina Court. As an elementary education major, she knows that all children learn through different methods, so as a teacher, she plans to use creativity in her lesson plans.
Court said she found a wonderful niche of creative thinkers and mentors amongst her professors at MCC. Those teachers…
Christopher Hunt is no stranger to winning prestigious scholarships and awards. As he reflects back on his time at Mesa Community College, he considers it to be the start of his life’s journey and he’s thankful for the people who have helped him along the way.
First, he was named an All-Arizona Academic First Team scholar. As one of only 20 in the country to…
Alumna Courtney Waxman Discovers Passion for Animal Emergency Care at MCC
After graduating from Mesa Community College with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology/Animal Health in 2008, Tempe resident Courtney Waxman has found a great deal of success as a specialist in emergency and critical care as well as a speaker and representative for Valley veterinarians.
Waxman first found out about the MCC Veterinary Technology Program when a…
From high school dropout flipping burgers and whipping up shakes to published author has been a long and challenging journey for Curtis Vickers – one made easier by faculty and staff at Mesa Community College.
“The impact MCC has had on my life can’t be overstated,” said Curtis, who attended MCC from 2001-2003. “They took in this high school dropout, took my dreams seriously and did…
MCC Student Wants to Inspire Youth
Mesa Community College student Cynthia G. Walker knows what it takes to succeed in a challenging world. As she prepares to graduate with an associate’s degree from MCC this month, she would like to encourage others to pursue their education.
“If I can reach just one individual, they can take that information and teach others,” said Walker, who is a member of the Diné and Cochiti tribes…
After 15 years working as a heavy equipment mechanic, Dana Gallagher found himself at a crossroads in his life. Although that industry provided a good-paying career with plenty of options for advancement within that career, he found himself desiring a completely new career field with new challenges.
At 36, the desire to continue the same physical activities…
Alumna pursues passion as novelist Publishes On the Edge of Wishing for young adults
MCC alumna Danette Key discovered that sometimes change opens up access to inner creativity.
Born and raised in Arizona, Key worked in the insurance industry for 26 years. But when she and her husband decided to make a change and move to upstate New York, Key began a whole new career as an author of young adult novels.
“My life changed when we moved,” Key said. “Sometimes change…
Transforming a Light Station Into an "On Ocean" Tech Center
Thirteen miles from shore and 120 feet above the water, Diamond Shoals Light Station (DSLS) soars above the Atlantic. The sound of wind and picturesque views envelop visitors.
It was not the serenity, however, that attracted MCC Alumnus and Zap Water Technology, Inc. President Dave Schneider to the decommissioned Coast Guard Light Station – it was the possibilities.
“I’ve…
It’s been a long journey, but when Mesa Community College graduate Dawn McCumber, 50, walks across the stage to accept her degree this month, her daughter, MCC graduate Kiera Cowan, 24, will be accepting her own degree.
It took McCumber six years to complete her Associate in General Studies degree. She finished it in 2021 but couldn’t walk due to COVID restrictions. So, she and her…
Service-learning and student government prepares graduate for a career in military intelligence
Mesa Community College Spring 2018 graduate Dawson Weiss, 18, is including a very special Denver Broncos necklace when she packs her bags this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. The necklace was made by two elementary school boys who Weiss mentored in the Future for KIDS program for at-risk youth, part of the 300 service…
When Mesa Community College graduate Debbie Seals walks across the stage at commencement this month, she’ll celebrate her persistence at overcoming many obstacles that stood in her way. But in addition to her own success, Seals has also made a difference in the lives of others she helped along the way.
Seals decided to return to college when the youngest of her three children turned 10.…
Bank VC Credits MCC for Career Path
When Deborah Bateman attended Mesa Community College, two classes ended up being what she calls “the underpinning foundation of my life.”
“I became very involved in business classes at the time, and competed in state and national contests as a member of DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America),” Deborah said. “Communications and Speech classes ended up being really formative for me…
MCC faculty encourages others to experience a world far beyond their own
Dennis Wilson, Ph.D., Mesa Community College Biology faculty, has traveled with MCC Study Abroad students into the wilds of Africa, the piazzas of Italy, and the jungles of Costa Rica, exploring amazing wildlife and breathtaking landscapes along the way.
Growing up in England, Wilson was mesmerized by the wildlife shows about Africa, but he was also troubled by the famines in Ethiopia…
ThinkBIG apprenticeship program leads to rewarding career
Mesa Community College alumnus Diego Santos is thriving at Empire Southwest, a top-performing Caterpillar dealer, the leading global manufacturer of the massive equipment that builds the world. He says community college offered an affordable start in higher education and a supportive opportunity to fit classes into a full-time work schedule.
“I had looked at the cost of education at the…
For Dion Brooks, earning an Associate in Applied Science in Beauty and Wellness from Mesa Community College is the first step toward his goal to become a leader in the beauty industry.
“I want to educate and prepare beauty professionals of the future to become highly impactful, successful and major contributors to the well-being of each and every person, and humanity collectively,”…
Mastering the Art of Self-Discovery
"You know, thanks to this call, I'm remembering a lot about my time at MCC. It's probably the most personal I've been during an interview," says Douglas Miles Sr., independent artist, owner of Apache Skateboards, and advocate for artistic expression for communities and people of color.
He attended MCC part-time in the 1980s while working at the then-booming Motorola Semiconductor plant…
Dustin Smith, 17, (Apache Junction) is about to graduate from college--two weeks before she gets her high school diploma.
On May 10, Smith will receive three associate degrees from Mesa Community College plus an Arizona General Education Curriculum and an Academic Certificate in Sustainability.
Then, two weeks later, she will…
When Mesa Community College graduate Ebony Koger receives her associate in arts degree this month, it will be the first step in her quest to become a librarian. It’s taken 20 years to overcome the challenges she’s faced to complete her degree, but Koger is excited about continuing her education and earning a master’s degree.
“It’s surreal,” said Koger, 43, of Mesa. “My two sons will be…
Atwood is One of the First Graduates of New Sustainable Agriculture Program
Elaine Atwood believes in the value of hard work, healthy food and the education she has received through the Sustainable Agriculture Program at Mesa Community College.
Atwood graduates this spring with two Associate in Applied Science degrees, one in Urban Horticulture and the other in Sustainable Agriculture. In fact, she’s one of the first graduates of…
Mesa Community College graduate Elizabeth Ward just completed her first step toward her lifelong goal of becoming a judge, she just graduated with two degrees and two certificates at MCC.
Coming from a family of lawyers and judges in Houston, Texas, the criminal justice field had always appealed to Ward.
“I want to see justice and equality for everyone,” said Ward, of Chandler. “I…
Journalism Student Begins Her Career at MCC
For Elliott Adams, 19, an immigrant originally from the United Kingdom, receiving a degree from an American community college seemed farfetched. But after being accepted into the Honors program at Mesa Community College and receiving the Presidents’ Scholarship, the possibility of achieving that academic goal became more of a reality.
“Growing up in a single-…
From a Small Village in Mexico, the World Became a Stage
In his tiny village in Mexico, Emigdio Arredondo took his cues from family, from his musician uncles to his dancing mother. But opportunities for his creative side were few in a rural town of about 1,000.
“I thought about life after I was grown and I saw myself following my uncles’ and my grandpa’s footsteps. Farming in our small town seemed like my only…
MCC Student Completes Degree from NAU without Leaving the Valley
The first and only time Tempe resident Eric Breault stepped foot on the Northern Arizona University campus in Flagstaff was the day he walked across the stage to receive his bachelor’s degree.
Eric, who took a combination of on-campus classes at Mesa Community College and online classes at NAU, completed his degree in comparative cultural studies in less than four years…
When Eric Mackey, 48, of Chandler, graduates from Mesa Community College with an Associate in Business degree, he’ll have several people to thank.
He says at the top of the list is his wife, MCC Nursing faculty member Linda Camille Mackey, his biggest cheerleader.
“Having her alongside me has been a great help,” Mackey said. “She encouraged me to go to the tutoring center before…
From International Student to Faculty Member: an MCC Journey
As international student Francesca De Martini began her initial coursework at Mesa Community College (MCC), she remembers thinking: “I have to work here one day!”
The native of Milan, Italy says she was looking for a new life and career when she came to the United States in 2009. Already holding Bachelors and Masters degrees in biology from Italian universities, she had no idea that her…
When Gabriela Mansilla moved from Guatemala to the United States at age 25 seeking a college degree, she chose Mesa Community College partly because she had always been drawn to the beauty of Arizona. She was pleased to discover MCC fit her needs in multiple ways, with a staff deeply committed to helping students. Mansilla excelled and is this year’s Class Honors Speaker.
“While…
This month, Gabriel Sinohui will take the stage with hundreds of other Mesa Community College graduates to celebrate a long sought after goal: earning a bachelor's degree. Gabriel is part of the first group of students graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Data Analytics and Programming from MCC.
For Sinohui, the achievement represents years of perseverance…
MCC is Home to Adjunct and Family
Garry Weiss of Mesa is an educator who has taught since 1992 in Ohio, Utah, Mexico and Arizona at the high school and college level. Prior to his current teaching career he had a career in sales and marketing as Marketing Manager with Pizza Time Theater and in sales with Terminex. He loves camping and anything involving his grandchildren. He and his wife have been involved with several large…
Alumnus Donates Art Design to MCC Campus
Geoff Coppola’s fascination with the pattern and beauty in nature is the inspiration behind an innovative piece of art recently installed near the physical science building at Mesa Community College’s Southern and Dobson campus. Coppola collaborated with MCC math and computer science professor Madeleine Chowdhury to bring his design to life, AllisOneenOsillA, a palindrome for All is One, One…
Director of AZ Department of Homeland Security Began Education at MCC
What’s it like to have one of your first college classes taught by your father? We asked Mesa Community College alumnus Gilbert M. Orrantia, (1976-78) now the Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, about his experience taking a Spanish class taught by his father in the ‘70s.
“It was actually fun to be sitting in one of my dad's classes,” said Orrantia, whose father,…
For Gisell Stephenson, 28, moving to Arizona without family or friends nearby, plus transitioning from the military made for a difficult adjustment. She credits Mesa Community College with providing a support system as she worked toward earning her degree. She graduates in May with an Associate in Arts.
“The family I created on campus was more than I could…
MCC Alum Channels Passion for Art Through Photography
Granville Carroll never considered pursuing art as a career path until a coworker encouraged him to take a photography class after seeing some landscape photos he took on his cell phone. Granville kept that thought in the back of his mind until he began classes at Mesa Community College (MCC) in pursuit of a psychology degree.
Today, Granville is a visual artist and recent Masters of…
Making a Difference one App at a Time
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission finds that only 36% of women are in IT careers. Then there’s Hannah Cheloha, a woman who codes and builds apps and does so with a social conscience.
Earning a micro certificate in iOS App Coding from Mesa Community College during the fall, spring, and summer 2018 semesters when she was one of the first students to enroll in the Apple…
MCC Red Mountain Student Writes her own Ticket to Travel the World of Life
Hannah Somerville has distinguished herself through service. Her passion for volunteering started at the age of six when she coordinated a “Pennies for Stuffed Animals’’ drive for sick children. Fast forward to March of 2017, Somerville has logged more than 300 hours of community service in the last 2 years.
In March of this year, under the leadership of…
During her time at Mesa Community College, Hannya Jimenez, 21, of Mesa, said she not only loved her classes and professors, but the campus activities as well.
“I will never forget the organized events like astronomy nights,” said Jimenez, who works at the MCC Enrollment Center. “I love the community.”
Jimenez, originally from Mexico, found out about MCC while she was visiting a…
From MCC to a Dream Job: A Non-Traditional Path
Harmony Colella’s “fascination with destruction” began when she was seven years old. Living in California at the time, she remembers hearing a loud noise and feeling the ground shake. Colella reports that she wasn’t frightened, in fact, she found it extremely interesting. Her mother yelled to her to get underneath the door for safety. When it was over, they surveyed the damage. The earthquake…
Forecasting Success: Ian Schwartz’s journey from college newsroom to TV weatherman
Whether he's reporting the weather, "hunting down happy hour deals" or sharing stories about children in need of foster and adoptive families, MCC alumnus and 3TV, CBS 5 Arizona's Family meteorologist Ian Schwartz says his job is rewarding.
Reporting news and weather for the past 19 years, Schwartz got his start at MCC, attending from 1999 to 2002.
"Yes, I'm a proud T-Bird, and I…
Growing up, Ivan Quintana knew all his neighbors in the small town of Colonia Juárez, Mexico. After all, the town, set in a lush valley in the mountains near Mexico City, only had about 400 residents. It’s that look-out-for-one-another attitude that now has him preparing for a career as a lawyer and a legacy in community service.
Quintana aspires to become a…
Native American Alumnus Jacob Moore
A promise to his father was what put Jacob Moore back on track to earn his associate in applied science degree from Mesa Community College, after working in the banking industry for 14 years. He continued earning a Bachelor of Science in finance and an Executive Master in Business Administration from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University (ASU).
Today Moore is…
Alumna’s Hospice IT Business Connects People and Technology
Mesa Community College alumna Jacy Smith, class of 2008, works hard to help people “bridge the gap” when it comes to technology. Her business, ReFresh IT, assists business owners in understanding what they need and helps implement a specific plan to accomplish their goals.
Jacy began her career in IT at MCC in 2006 when she took web design and art classes at the Southern and Dobson…
Jade Boheneck, 25, has always loved dental hygiene and plans to obtain her dental hygiene license with the knowledge she’s learned from Mesa Community College. She plans to graduate with an associate degree in dental hygiene from MCC in May 2026.
During the course of her education, her brother was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma that spread to his brain and…
Dr. James Abbott
Mesa Optometrist Began at MCC
For most of us, the phrase “path of least resistance” probably does not include studying Psychology at a major university and advanced courses in science and math on the way to Optometry school.
But most of us are not MCC alumnus Dr. James Abbott, who came home to open his Optometry practice in Mesa 35 years ago.
“I started at MCC in the summer of 1972, and received my…
Mesa Community College graduate James Gaspar was instrumental in getting MCC's DJ students on the roster for the Mesa Music Festival 2023, an event drawing more than 100,000 people.
When Gaspar, recently hired as an MCC teaching assistant, first heard about the event, he thought MCC students would be a great addition to the festival.
"I submitted our group and got a call back that…
James Hoselton, 55, of Apache Junction, seems surprised that he is being honored with so many awards as he graduates this month. After enrolling in college in his 50s, with only a ninth grade education, he suffered a back injury from a car accident which caused him to miss a month of classes. He now uses a cane and still has some pain.
“The professors were…
Mesa Community College Ceramics Student James Schwarz’s “Tree of Life” is his “Circle of Life”
Just 75 miles south of Tucson lies a small military town called Sierra Vista, with a population of about 44,000. Mesa Community College student James Schwarz, who grew up in Sierra Vista, aspired to be an engineer, but a change of heart led to a stint in technical theater. Then the curtains almost closed on his life. Circumstances put his life on hold, Schwarz almost accepted…
MCC Students' Determination to Succeed Leads Them Across Graduation Stage
Mesa Community College students Jammie and Aaron Hoffman find their motivation and drive to succeed in the quote, “I never said it would be easy. I only said it would be worth it.”
Their heartwarming story is one of trials and successes, leading them to the Spring 2012 Mesa Community College graduation stage.
During the 1994-1995 academic school year, Jammie and…
In the weeks and months following the Covid-19 outbreak, Jason Carter was approaching the end of his schooling and was feeling that “everything was in disarray. I didn’t really know what to do,” said the Mesa Community College Computer Information Systems alumni.
The Phoenix resident had already completed an Associate of Arts degree in 2001 from Paradise Valley Community College and a…
Jennifer Duff: From Fashion to Fishing to Philanthropy
When Jennifer Duff graduated with an associate degree in fashion merchandising from Mesa Community College in the late ‘70s, she never could have imagined where her career path would take her. After a few successful years in the fashion industry, she switched gears to follow another passion—fishing.
“My first career was in fashion,” Duff said. “Burned out, I returned to MCC briefly to…
Jerod Focht is a hands-on type of student, however, when the pandemic hit during the end of his senior year of high school, many of his classes were online. He was accepted at Texas A&M and planned to study Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and he still does, but he realized many of his classes would be online, so he decided to change his plans.
Focht enrolled in the welding…
Graduates Span Generations
On May 11, Mesa Community College will recognize the accomplishments of graduates for the 2011-12 school year at a commencement ceremony in the campus courtyard of MCC’s Southern and Dobson campus. Community colleges often attract students from all age groups and all walks of life. MCC’s class of 2012 clearly demonstrates that fact.
This year’s class includes a 14-year-…
MCC alumna Jessica Lake returns to Navajo reservation to teach
For Mesa Community College alumna Jessica Lake, (1997-1999), leaving the Navajo reservation to begin higher education studies was a big step. She had never been away from family and didn’t quite know how to plan her schedule of required classes. But Lake went on to earn her associate’s degree from MCC, her bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University and later her master’s degree in…
MCC Graduate Believes in Contributing to Community
Jessica Siegel will be graduating from Mesa Community College as an International Certified Tutor and a Certified Herbalist. She intends to pursue further education toward becoming a Naturopathic Doctor, a career in which she strongly believes.
While at Mesa Community College, Siegel was a dedicated honors student; she is a Presidential Scholar and an active…
MedAire Founder Joan Sullivan Garrett
MedAire founder and CEO Joan Sullivan Garrett, who began her career with a nursing degree from Mesa Community College in 1978, is today a recognized leader committed to providing emergency medical care to people in remote locations throughout the world.
Her company is credited with establishing the world's first global emergency response center dedicated to providing immediate, real-…
MCC Alumni Receive Emmy Nominations and Award for Webisode Series
If you look closely at the Emmy Award-winning webisode series, “Probed: Signals,” you might catch a glimpse of Mesa Community College’s Southern and Dobson campus, where part of the series was filmed.
But even more impressive is the success that MCC alumni Kevin Herrmann and Joel Cranson have had with this creative venture.
Herrmann won a 2010 Rocky Mountain Emmy award from the…
Husband and Father Pursues Life of Service
Johnathan Speakman, an Arizona native, said being number six out of eight children in his family taught him to serve others. Because of the joy he finds in helping others, he has always known that he wants to give service to others throughout his life. However, the service he has been involved in throughout his MCC experience has helped to shape how he wants to do that.
”As I have tried…
Time management is now one of Jonathon Van Ormer’s strongest skills as he prepares to transfer to Northern Arizona University this summer to complete his Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Industrial Leadership degree.
Van Ormer, a mining applications engineer at Empire Southwest, is participating in the MCC/NAU 90/30 Bachelor Degree Completion Program. Empire Southwest, Northern…
When Joseph Katz was 12 years old, his mom gave him a saxophone. He had never seen one or played one before, but he was excited and joined the 6th-grade band at Arrowhead Elementary in Glendale.
Throughout middle school and high school, Joseph’s passion for music continued to grow exceptionally.
With the support of music directors who recognized…
Business finance graduate Joseph Rodriguez Gonzalez, 20, of Mesa, is a first-generation college graduate who was recruited to attend Mesa Community College by a soccer coach who observed Rodriguez playing high school soccer.
“MCC was close to home and had an affordable price,” said Rodriguez, who will graduate with an Associate in Business and an Arizona General Education Curriculum…
When Mesa Community College student Josh Malone was diagnosed with a learning disability, he never dreamed he’d be able to succeed in college-level honors classes such as calculus, chemistry and biology. But thanks to his determination, coupled with assistance from MCC professors, tutors and peers, he will graduate in May with a nearly 4.0 grade-point average and a solid plan to…
Not an ordinary high school student, Joshua McDonald, 18, is also a college student at Mesa Community College. As most students prepare for one graduation, McDonald plans for two: one from high school and one from MCC.
McDonald is one of 9 high school students at the Arizona Agribusiness Equine Center who will graduate from MCC this month. The courses he has taken count toward college…
Joshua Sykes’ MCC experience began at the age of 3
Not many alumni can say that their relationship with MCC started before preschool. But, Joshua Sykes can. Joshua was just 3 years old when his father, Arlen Sykes – now a very active alumni board member – was taking classes at Mesa Community College (MCC) and enrolled him in the MCC Children’s Center.
As he grew, Joshua attended and volunteered at alumni events, such as MCC Homecoming…
Aspiring Sports Entertainment Writer
Justin Michael Freemyer has always dreamed big and has never taken no for an answer. A reverse transfer student, Justin will be graduating with his associate’s degree in public relations at MCC after completing his bachelor’s from ASU six years earlier.
Raised in Chandler, Freemyer grew up with a blue-collar work ethic and midwestern values. At two, he was…
Justin Stanley is preparing to graduate from Mesa Community College this spring, using the education he gained to build a meaningful career in exercise science while continuing to grow both professionally and personally.
Stanley chose MCC for the opportunity it provided to return to higher education and create a new path forward.
“Mesa Community…
For many college students, completing all the requirements for a rigorous academic program is a challenge. But for Mesa Community College dental hygiene student Kaelin Shaker, 25, it was especially challenging—she had a baby halfway through the program.
Shaker, an Honors Program student, graduates in May with an Associate in Applied Science degree and is…
Karina Aguilar Credits MCC for Workforce Preparation
As Mesa Community College graduate Karina Aguilar begins her new job at Aira, a company that provides augmented reality assistance services through remote and smart glasses technology to blind and visually impaired clients, she remembers the support she received at MCC that motivated her to succeed in her professional and academic goals.
“The most important skills I gained from Mesa…
As a software developer 1 at Uber Eats, now living in New York City, Karl McPhee focuses on backend development and machine learning–sophisticated skills he learned as a Mesa Community College student and intern.
“At the time I started taking courses at MCC, I was enrolled in Arizona State University’s Master of Science program and had experience with programming in Java and Python,”…
Safeway Executive Encourages Others to Take First Step
When Karl Schroeder’s post-high school plans to enter the Air Force in the late ‘70s didn’t work out, he found himself at Mesa Community College, wondering what his next step would be.
To cover expenses, he got a job at a Safeway grocery store and rode his bike seven miles to get to classes. Over the next few years, he earned an associate’s degree in business management at MCC (1987),…
As a software developer at Glendale Community College (GCC), Karri Sisson believes in continuous learning. “Any programming class improves your skills as a developer because you can always pick up new concepts or ways to apply them to your current work,” she says.
So, when Sisson first heard about Pega Systems Architect Essentials, she was intrigued.
Wanting to learn more,…
After graduating from high school and receiving offers from multiple universities, Mesa resident Kashmir Baillie, age 20, decided Mesa Community College was the perfect fit for her educational goals.
“I will never forget how MCC helped me reach the first step in my higher education,” said Baillie, whose career goal is to be a lawyer. “I would recommend MCC to anyone…
Building Change: Redefining a career—and an industry
One could call Kate Glantz a do-gooder with an entrepreneurial spirit but the description pales compared to the powerful effect her social impact work has had on women and girls, small business owners, individuals and communities.
Following a career spanning numerous industries and roles–from social impact and marketing to economic inclusion–across public…
For Katrina Patterson, 61, of Mesa, age is just a number. Her determination to finish her degree at Mesa Community College will pay off when she walks across the stage to receive her diploma amidst the applause of her two children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“I’m so proud to be here,” Patterson said. “I did this for myself, I did this for…
Girl Scouts honor MCC Alumna
The Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council recently honored MCC alumna Kelley Stewart with the Women of Distinction World of Courage award. Honorees are chosen for their exceptional community service and leadership.
Stewart is a 2004 graduate of the MCC Red Mountain campus and is currently double majoring in applied psychology and multimedia writing and technical communication at…
When things got tough for Mesa Community College student Kenna Graff, 20, of Mesa, simply getting out of the house helped tremendously.
"Some days, I wanted to stay in bed and put off all my work, but I made sure to at least go to the library and complete the assignments for that day, maybe work ahead if I had motivation," Graff said. "My struggles with mental illness impacted the way…
A Sustainable Education
When sustainability was just emerging as a buzz word, Mesa Community College honor student, Phi Theta Kappa member and Graduation Class Honors Speaker Kevin Keleher knew he wanted to change the way businesses operated. He felt they should not be so focused on profit, but more on sustainability (although he didn’t even know the term at the time).
In 2011 Keleher was asked to participate…
Kevin Tran, 20, always knew he wanted to attend Mesa Community College after graduating from Westwood High School because he liked smaller classes, reasonable tuition and the close location. When his high school counselor told him he qualified for Mesa College Promise, in which his tuition fees were fully funded, he was sure he'd made the right decision.
"Maria Dawes, the…
From MCC to New Zealand: Education opens door for opportunity
How did you arrive at MCC?
I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life. I had dropped out of Phoenix College and was basically, a bit 'lost'. I was eventually working at the Motorola facility that was previously located on Broadway, near the MCC campus. I initially started with engineering courses, that aligned with my work (at Motorola). I worked from 11 p.m.…
While earning an undergraduate degree in anthropology at the State University of New York–Buffalo, Mesa Community College Archeology faculty Kirk Costion, Ph.D., wasn’t planning on a teaching career. “It didn’t even cross my mind to be a college professor,” he admitted. “Growing up I wanted to be a pilot and attend the U.S. Air Force Academy.”
That career goal changed…
Kristina Morris didn’t think she would end up attending college. At age 57, she had a career, a family and was looking forward to the next chapter in life. But after she retired, she got bored. So, when her son started attending Mesa Community College, she decided to join him.
“I graduated high school in 1980 so going back to school was very intimidating at…
Kyana Young began her successful global STEM career path at MCC
Kyana Young said she was not prepared for her first year in college but Mesa Community College gave her a second chance to launch a successful engineering and college faculty career focusing on global water quality issues. Reflecting on her own education challenges, the MCC Class of 2005 graduate has made it a mission to serve as a mentor to help underserved students achieve STEM (Science,…
Student leader finds passion in campus involvement
Service and leadership have always been core values to honors student Kylee Gillespie. Her involvement in school and community events growing up in Mesa is what pushed her to do more at Mesa Community College.
“I believe service to one's own community and school campus instills responsibility and self-action to take charge in making a change for others and…
MCC's good neighbor - LaVon Jackson Maccanico
After working in corporate America for 30 years, Lavon Jackson Maccanico suddenly found herself without a job. Her career in human resources abruptly ended due to a lay off - something she had never before experienced.
"I did nothing for about a year," says Jackson Maccanico, who holds a bachelor's degree in business and a master's degree in organizational development.
Always…
Leah Erwin has always loved learning new things. So, when the opportunity to earn higher education as a beauty professional came her way, she jumped at the chance. Her degree is available through a partnership among Mesa Community College, the beauty house of L’Oréal and ROLFS Salons.
“I am passionate about the beauty industry as it offers an incredible platform to spread love and beauty…
Living in a chaotic house filled with foster children hasn’t stopped Leigh Gosney, age 47, or her biological daughter Katelyn, age 23, from pursuing higher education at MCC and beyond. Leigh has been a foster parent for 20 years. She has two biological children, four adopted and many fosters who still call her Mom.
Leigh, who married and had two biological children at a young age, didn…
Lena Nape came to Mesa Community College seeking a fresh start—an opportunity to redefine her goals and build a strong foundation for the future. What she found was a supportive community that encouraged her to grow, take risks and believe in her potential.
After graduation, Nape will transfer to Arizona State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with…
ASMCC president believes public service helped shape her future
Lorena Austin will have one very important person cheering her on when she graduates in May, her 93 year old grandmother.
“My grandmother was born in a box car in 1925,” said Austin, MCC’s student body president. “Her father worked on the railroad and she worked in the fields as a farm worker. She was unable to finish her education, so during her entire life, she has emphasized…
Graduate is Tenth in Family to Earn Degree from MCC
Attending Mesa Community College is something of a tradition for the Bodine family of Mesa. MCC student Lucas Bodine, 23, is the tenth and latest graduate in the family to receive a degree from MCC. He follows in the footsteps of both parents, five siblings and their spouses, all of whom began their education at the college.
Lucas said he was comfortable being on campus…
Graduate from Venezuela Rises to the Challenge
In the past two years, Mesa Community College graduate Luis Garcia has been schooled in more than just academic knowledge. Due to life events, he has learned to juggle personal and academic struggles and developed a positive approach to life’s challenges.
Garcia grew up in Venezuela, but when the country’s economic and political situation became tumultuous, his parents…
From Corps to Courtroom, Lyle Jones on the Full Circle of Service
Law was a second career for Mesa Community College alumnus Lyle Jones, who has been practicing since 2006. In that time, he has worked in private practice, served as a public defender, sat as magistrate judge over the Tipton County, Tennessee Juvenile Court, and currently hears disability cases as a United States Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration.
“I’m…
Studying Abroad and Learning Languages
Growing up surrounded by diversity and different languages inspired MCC graduate Madelyne Dhimes. As she grew up, cultures from all over the world surrounded Dhimes, 22, and she was inspired to become engaged in other cultures.
“My passion for language and culture led me to MCC,” Dhimes said. “MCC has a variety of foreign languages to choose from. I chose French, as it is a very global…
Each year, the Maricopa Community Colleges sponsor a districtwide music competition to encourage and recognize student achievement. This year, Mesa Community College student Madison Franklin was selected as the Instrumental Solo winner and performed Cantabile et Presto by George Enesco on the flute at the recent Artists of Promise event.
Franklin, 21, of Mesa, graduates from MCC this…
Location, affordability and having the classes she wanted were among the main reasons Maigon Caviness, 39, chose to attend Mesa Community College nearly four years ago. Supportive faculty and staff kept her on track to complete her Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) program in spring 2021 and walk at graduation spring 2023, receiving her Associate of Applied Science in Exercise…
Student athlete writes acclaimed children’s book while earning business degree at MCC
Malique Washington took advice from his grandfather to complete his associate’s degree at Mesa Community College and along the way, he played on the MCC basketball team and wrote a children’s book.
The book honored his grandfather, the late James Kelson, a 36-year educator and former principal at John R. Davis Elementary School in Phoenix..
“My grandfather inspired me,” said…
MCC was a foundation for success for alumnus Romero
Manuel “Manny” Romero (1992), executive director of Public Affairs for Borough of Manhattan Community College-City University of New York, says, “Everything I learned at Mesa Community College led me to where I am now.”
This first-generation college student was at Nogales High School when MCC caught his eye. His aunt, Toni Hughes, lived near the Southern and Dobson Campus. Romero thought…
Marcus Campbell learned to mine his experiences during Covid and the country’s ongoing social and racial unrest for his first published book of poetry as a Mesa Community College (MCC) creative writing student.
His book tour for “My Identity as a Stereotypical Side Character,” concluded with The Identity Tour Showcase at The Nile Coffee Shop (Mesa) following the Mesa Book Festival in…
MCC Student Makes Difference to her Alma Mater and Native Americans Across Arizona
Mesa Community College student Mariah Pahona-Charlie, president of the Inter-Tribal Association, is working for the American Indian Institute at MCC and pursuing college full time. Pahona-Charlie, founder of the Westwood High School mentorship program, has left a blue print for all Native American students to follow.
“I consider myself a lifetime learner,”…
When Marie-Catherine Smith, 24, of Mesa, graduated from high school, she set her goal on becoming an early childhood teacher. After three years of attending university classes and juggling work responsibilities, she found herself burned out and in the midst of a pandemic.
"I started experimenting with some digital drawing on my iPad and really enjoyed it," Smith said. "The field of…
Marvin Scott pays forward his MCC joy of music student experience
Believing that music has the power to change lives, Marvin Scott has focused his career on connecting kids to the joy and magic of making music, which was his student experience in the Mesa Community College Music Department. Prior to attending MCC, Marvin was enrolled at Arizona State University. In the fall of his freshman year studying in the ASU College of Music, some friends recommended…
For many nontraditional students at Mesa Community College, age is just a number, and academic success is down to hard work, dedication, and focus. Mary Ann Jalloh, 57, is a prime example of that commitment to the college as she graduates this May with an Associates in Fine Arts degree.
“Education is in my spirit,” Jalloh said. “I don’t care how old I get…
For Mesa Community College (MCC) student Matthew Skabelund, 23, education is more than learning facts and figures. Skabelund, who attended the Red Mountain and Southern and Dobson campuses, said he has discovered traits such as perseverance and resilience are equally important as he pursues his degree in physical therapy.
“Completing my education has become much more about excelling as…
Young Genius Takes Graduation in Stride
The youngest in his family and the youngest student of his graduating class, 14-year-old Maxwell Manning will follow in the footsteps of his parents and older siblings as he graduates in May.
“I’m the youngest of six and they all have done it before me so for me it’s not weird or anything. It’s just normal,” said Manning. “I’ve never noticed anything different. Everyone in my life,…
It had long been a dream of Melanie Clover Delgado, age 63 of Mesa, to find her path to higher education. Now, she’s on her way to making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable populations as a social worker/counselor.
Beginning with a difficult childhood, Delgado overcame multiple obstacles, including anxiety, depression, drug abuse and low self-worth, by seeking counseling.…
As a first-generation, Latina college student, Melanie Perez Saenz, 20, of Mesa, said she initially decided to attend Mesa Community College because it was the best financial option for her. During her time at MCC, Perez Saenz exceeded expectations and graduated a semester early as an honor student, became an active member of the community, and was named an All-Arizona Academic Team honoree.…
MCC is Family Tradition for Welding Graduate
When Merri Stafford was ready to make a career change in 2011, she explored MCC’s welding classes.
“I’ve always liked to work with my hands, but I haven’t had the opportunity until now,” said Merri, 37. “Not only did MCC have the biggest and best welding department out there, but my folks attended MCC and have always been pro-community college, for the price and for professors who care…
Mia Haas persevered through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to complete her Associate in Arts Emphasis in Counseling and Applied Psychological Science from Mesa Community College.
“The fall semester was the hardest,” said Haas, 20, of Mesa. “Switching to doing everything online was a big adjustment, but MCC has been great with the transition.”
For Haas, overcoming…
What are cryptocurrency, blockchain and bitcoin? MCC Alumnus Michael del Castillo knows
As associate editor at Forbes in Jersey City, New Jersey, Michael del Castillo writes about how blockchain and cryptocurrencies are being adopted by enterprises and the broader business community. His articles focus on the use of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, ethereum and XRP, and extend to non- cryptocurrency applications of blockchain in finance, supply chain management, digital identity…
One Courageous Step Changed His Life
Michael Nuccio, 30, graduated from Mesa Community College (MCC) with a 4.0 grade point average and scholarships covering tuition to attend Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University (ASU), in the fall.
This is an admirable accomplishment, especially for a man who until recently had no formal education past the first grade. In 2013, nearly two…
Photo Gallery Features Alternative Photographic Processes
Since opening the Tilt Gallery in Phoenix in 2005, Mesa Community College graduates Michelle and Melanie Craven have enriched the Phoenix art community by sharing their photography skills and knowledge.
The twin sisters originally pursued a space for their own photography, but quickly realized there was a greater need for a fine art photography gallery in Phoenix specializing in…
Professional boxer Micky Scala, aka ‘Mesa Mick,’ plans to use his experience and the counseling degree he just earned at Mesa Community College to be an advocate for mental health.
“I lost two close family members to suicide,” Scala said. “Now I fight in honor of their lives and want to do so by being an advocate for mental health in my professional career. Hopefully by doing so I can…
MCC basketball alumnus coaches Nigerian Olympic team
Mesa Community College alumnus Mike Brown (1988-1990) has experienced life on a global scale since childhood. His most recent international adventure was coaching the Nigerian national basketball team at the Summer Olympics in Japan and at the FIBA AfroBaskets 2021 championship tournament in Rwanda.
Born in Ohio and growing up overseas, Mike Brown was a star basketball and football…
MCC Alumnus Finds Way Back to Campus Through Service and Lifelong Learning
Nearly four decades after graduating from MCC, alumnus and retired elementary school teacher Mike Rague is back on campus, this time as a volunteer, lifelong learner and advocate for giving back.
Rague’s path to higher education was initially off to a bumpy start. After graduating high school in…
Adversities Help MCC Commencement Speaker Misty Stickney Emerge as a Leader
When Mesa Community College’s commencement speaker, Misty Stickney, approaches the podium to address the crowd on May 13, it will mark the culmination of several years of hard work and great determination. As a first-generation college student, Stickney is committed to continuing her education at Northern Arizona University in the fall, becoming the first in her family to obtain…
Scholarship Recipient Completes Master’s Degree, Touts MCC and Community Colleges
Molly O’Dwyer took a circuitous route from Mesa Community College to the University of North Carolina, where she received her Master’s Degree in Information Science in December 2013.
O’Dwyer, now 30, grew up in Mesa and graduated from Mesa High School before attending MCC. She received MCC’s Alumni & Friends scholarship in the spring of 2004, and attended MCC from 2001-04.
…
Creating Your Own Tradition: Monica Trejo’s Educational Path from Hardship to Triumph
Monica Trejo was not a traditional student, nor is she a traditional doctoral candidate. “My journey is my journey, and I’m very proud of where it’s taken me,” she explains.
From dropping out after her first semester at Mesa Community College, to returning while she worked a full-time job, Trejo slowly returned to the space that best contributed to her personal growth: education. Now…
Local News Anchor Started at MCC
More than a decade ago, Monique Griego knew she wanted to go to college after graduating from Mesa High School. But putting two children through college was going to be next to impossible for her mother. For Monique and her sister, Mesa Community College was the perfect choice.
“I came to MCC in 2006 right out of high school,” said Monique, a reporter for 12 News at 10 p.m. and an…
Nakota Hunts-in-Winter, a leader in the autism and Native American campus communities and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North and South Dakota-Dakota/Lakota, is graduating from MCC with an Associate’s Degree in Audio Production Technology.
A Grammy-nominated musician at 19 for playing bass on Alice Cooper’s song, Now I’m Mr. Nice Guy…
At 19, Mesa Community College student Nakota Hunts-in-Winter is a Grammy-nominated musician, plays bass in a local band, is founder of a popular campus music jam club and is a leader in the autism and Native American campus communities, all while working toward an Associate’s Degree in Audio Production Technology.
Nakota will graduate in December 2025 and plans to…
Alumna follows passion for furniture design
Nancy Donsbach believes every piece of furniture has its own personality. As an avid do-it-yourselfer for many years, she constantly spotted ways to breathe new life into old chairs and tables. Her passion for furniture design eventually led Donsbach to Mesa Community College, where she earned a Certificate in Mechanical Drafting in 2006. While finishing up her schooling, she acquired a full-…
Nancy Esparza, age 54, a Tempe resident, began taking classes in 2014 along with her two daughters, but had to stop taking classes in 2016 to work full time. When her son, Vicente Esparza Ortiz, started attending MCC, he encouraged her to go back.
"He helped me pay for classes and kept pushing me to complete my degree so we could graduate together," Nancy said.
Vicente, a…
It’s been a busy year for Mesa Community College graduate Nathan Pan. First, his team took top honors at the 2015 Avnet Tech Games Onsite Competition. Next, Pan was selected from hundreds of student across the country to be part of the Cisco Live Dream Team in San Diego this summer.
Pan graduates from MCC this May with an AAS in Networking System…
Nawaf Faie successfully launched his academic career during one of the most challenging and tragic chapters in global history. Far from his home in Saudi Arabia, he met the countless challenges triggered by Covid with dignity and determination. Today Nawaf is a proud Mesa Community College Spring 2023 graduate earning an Associate of Applied Science in Public Relations.
An…
Nick Magel, who composed all of the music for Antigone, Mesa Community College’s first feature film, will always be amazed at his successful accomplishments.
“Me composing music for Antigone really exemplifies the ‘throw the students into the fire and watch them do miraculous things’ nature of the training at MCC Theatre and Film Arts,” Magel said. “The faculty here are really good at…
They say timing is everything and for Nicole Peterson, 37, the time was right to pursue higher education and follow her dreams. Peterson admits to being one of the statistics of the high school girls who drop out of school after becoming pregnant at the age of 16.
“As with most teenage moms, the responsibilities catapulted me right into adulthood, ready or not,” said Peterson, of Mesa. “…
Mesa Community College Student Receives $80,000 Scholarship
Nikelle Mackey, a Mesa Community College Art student, was recently awarded the Presidential Scholarship at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL. She was ranked in the top one percent and selected out of 1,400 total applicants.
The Presidential Scholarship, the highest award given at Ringling College, will provide Nikelle with a total of $80,000 based on a four year degree…
International student finds success at MCC in Nurse Assisting Program
In her late 30s, Njideka “NJ” Nwalor found herself a widow with three young boys. Emigrating from Nigeria 19 years ago, she moved to Canada to be with her husband, who was a student there. He passed away in 2010 and, with two of the boys growing into teenagers, NJ moved to the East Valley in 2017 to be closer to family living in Gilbert.
“I decided to be a…
Mesa Community College graduate, Noemi Panza, age 22, said she is very glad she discovered MCC as the place to begin her college career.
Originally from Cosenza, a small town in the city of Calabria, Italy, Panza who is a first-generation college student said, "I saw that MCC had an easy transfer program and thought it was the best option. These years at MCC have been the best years of…
Motivation comes naturally for this teen who began his academic career at Mesa Community College when he was just 13 years old, while attending middle school at Sequoia Charter School in Mesa. At first the eighth-grader was unsure about attending college at such a young age but he quickly realized he could handle the rigorous college coursework in addition to his middle school classes and,…
Third-generation Thunderbird shifts careers after studying 3D printing at MCC
Several years ago, Pam Waterman learned about Ari Ellman, a two-year-old who had a rare, life-threatening tumor on his brain. Because of where it was positioned, the tumor initially appeared inoperable. After studying a 3D printed model of Ellman’s brain, doctors discovered an alternative surgery option, allowing them to remove the tumor successfully.
…
Patrick McGarey's non-linear path to NASA
When Patrick McGarey graduated from MCC with an Associate in Arts degree, he never expected to be where he is today. Patrick, a robotics technologist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA) in Pasadena, admits the path to his career was not a straight one. He tells students that all the diverse knowledge and experience he obtained along his…
Choosing to modify his career path from television production to programming was a no-brainer for Patrick. While the industry was converting to computer-based technology, he became increasingly attracted to the way mobile devices, with their combined technologies, could perform tasks that were unimaginable at the time.
Patrick made the move to MCC and the Maricopa Information…
Business Broker Phillip Reese Recommends MCC
1) Please describe your affiliation with Mesa Community College.
I am a former student who graduated with my Associate in Arts Degree in 2005. I am on the MCC Alumni Advisory Board.
2) Thinking historically, what is your single most positive memory or impression of MCC?
The history classes I took really stood out to me. The professor made the…
Pranay Modha is proud to be graduating from Mesa Community College this spring and was selected as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Academic Honors and Awards Ceremony. A Presidential Honors Student Scholar, Modha is recognized for his academic excellence and extensive community service through involvement with Phi Theta Kappa, where he serves as president of the Omicron Beta chapter…
Mesa Mom Returns to School, Balances Work and Family to Create a Brighter Future
From a young age, Mesa Community College graduate Priscilla Gutierrez has felt deeply connected to the Mesa community. “Having been born and raised here, I saw MCC as the ideal place to begin my educational journey.”
Gutierrez has remained true to her roots. She continues to reside in Mesa and serves as the Mesa City Council District Coordinator supporting District 4 Councilmember Jenn…
Rachel Henry, 30, of Chandler, is part of the first group of students to receive a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education, Dual Language, from Mesa Community College.
“It feels really cool to be in this group because it is the beginning of an opportunity for more bachelor's degree programs to come to community colleges,” Henry said. “The…
Future Educator Encourages Exploration and Involvement
Rebecca Roberts’ journey to Mesa Community College started earlier than most students, right in the MCC Children’s Center while her mother was pursuing her nursing degree. Fifteen years later, she is about to graduate with her associate’s degree and transfer to Arizona State University to continue her studies of secondary education and biological sciences.
An…
Mesa Community College graduate Rebekah Ward, age 34, said she believes she is living proof that it is never too late to achieve your dreams and aspirations.
Ward, who resides in Queen Creek, said she married and became a mother at a very young age, which caused her to shift her focus to her children. As a result, her educational journey slowed down. Her children are now seven and…
Renae Blackwater Helps Plan Inaugural Native Youth Football Camp at MCC
Renae Blackwater graduated from MCC in Spring 2022, and served as an intern at Tempe-based LLC Indigenous Health over the summer. While there, she played an integral role in the organization – hosting an inaugural football camp for Native Youth at MCC in July that was coached by members of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins Football team.
She recently spoke at the…
Renae Blackwater, 23, of Mesa, can’t say enough about how the MCC American Indian Institute helped her shape her future.
She spoke at the recent American Indian Institute’s anniversary celebration, telling others how the institute provided assistance and direction at a time when she needed it. Growing up in the Tempe/Mesa area, she was a first-generation college student and didn’t quite…
From Bartender to Aerospace Engineer
For Mesa Community College graduate Ricky LeDesma, 30, of Chandler, the decision to return to college is one of the most rewarding and beneficial decisions of his life.
“I was tending bar and although I loved it, I knew I could do much more,” LeDesma said. “My passions have always been science and space exploration. I decided it was time to make a change in my…
Mesa Community College graduate Riley Weathersbee, age 19, said she would not feel as passionate and confident in her line of work without the college. She believes MCC is the best choice to start a journalism degree.
Starting at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Weathersbee found out that MCC had the journalism classes needed to complete her degree. She enrolled at both schools,…
Mesa Community College (MCC) has been an important part of Robert Rangel’s life for many years. Both of his parents, Ron and Tina Rangel, worked at the Southern and Dobson Campus most of his life. As a preschooler, Rangel attended the MCC Children’s Center.
“I remember the experience I had as a child exploring the campus,” said Rangel, who is now age 20 and a Tempe resident. “So, when…
Gin Blossoms Vocalist Recalls Days at MCC
Robin Wilson, lead vocalist for the Gin Blossoms, spent a large part of his youth on the Mesa Community College campus where his father, Lee Wilson, taught accounting from 1971 through the early '90s.
“I have a big place in my heart for that campus,” said Wilson during a phone interview from his tour bus as he promotes the band's latest release, Major Lodge Victory. “I grew up there. I…
In 2009, Robyn Mackelprang left her full-time job to focus solely on raising her kids. When her youngest began preschool in 2023 she felt drawn to working in communications and marketing again. During her job search she quickly discovered she was missing required job experience in social media. Although she earned an undergraduate degree in communications in 2005, social media…
MCC Alumnus Ron Colburn
On any given day, Mesa Community College alumnus Ron Colburn may brief Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, or the White House, or Congress, about the issues of the day as he fulfills his duties as Deputy Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Ron, who graduated from MCC in 1977, went on to graduate from the U.S. Border Patrol Academy and never looked back. He has served through six…
Army Veteran Pursues his Goal to Teach History
Retired 22-year Army veteran Ron Colwell overcame many obstacles on his path to higher education, but he’s on his way now with the recent acceptance into Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
After he graduates from Mesa Community College in May, he’ll enter ASU to pursue his goal of completing a bachelor’s and eventually a master’s…
MCC Psychology Graduate Publishes Research
If given a choice, are you more likely to turn left or right? Mesa Community College alumna Rosaline Dye’s interest in the subject resulted in the publication of her research in a scientific journal.
The research, “Absence of Lateral Navigation Bias in Young Children” appears in a 2014 edition of the journal Perceptual & Motor Skills Physical Development & Measurement…
When Sam decided to go back to school, she quickly realized that an onsite college experience would be nearly impossible for her. With her spouse in the military at the time, they moved frequently around the US, so the search was on to find an online school where she could receive an excellent college education at an affordable cost.
Sam selected MCC – though she didn’t reside in Arizona…
High School Student to Graduate from MCC
This month, Sara Ballard, 18, will graduate from high school and college at the same time. After graduation, she plans to transfer to Grand Canyon University with 66 college credits already under her belt.
During spring semester, she was enrolled in two high school classes at Arizona Agribusiness Equine Center and 24 credit hours at Mesa Community College.
In addition…
MCC Student Awarded Art Scholarship
The College for Creative Studies in Detroit has awarded Mesa Community College art student Scott Everett an $80,000 scholarship based on his life-like charcoal drawings inspired by family, friends and life experiences.
MCC art instructor Gingher Leyendecker said Everett’s talent was apparent when he first arrived at MCC. Leyendecker has watched Everett mature and find his voice by…
Outdoor Enthusiast Finds Dream Job
Scott Mackey’s job at the Arizona Game and Fish Department often takes him out into the middle of nowhere. But for Mackey, an avid outdoor enthusiast, that’s exactly where he wants to be.
“The thing I love most about my current job is the hands-on nature of field work,” said Mackey, who is currently performing habitat assessments of potential bighorn sheep transplant sites. “I spend the…
When it looked like it might be necessary to change professions because of physical limitations, MCC provided Sean with the opportunity to excel and grow without veering from his chosen career path.
An Arizona native, Sean attended MCC from August 2018 to May 2021 earning an Associates of Applied Science degree in Construction Management. Before earning the degree “I worked in the field…
What Inspires Artist Shachi Kale?
MCC alumnae Shachi Kale’s artwork causes people to stop and look a little closer at all the delightful details hidden in her paintings. You’ll find caterpillars in the corners, birds in the borders, and all types of patterns that give life to her creations.
She’s a visual storyteller, graphic designer and children’s book illustrator. Locally, her work has appeared at the Mesa Arts Center…
MCC Alum and Arizona native finds success as a longtime radio personality
Being a radio host for SiriusXM isn’t exactly what she planned on doing, but according to Mesa Community College (MCC) Alumna Shannon Gunz, it is proof that life can surprise you with a fun and rewarding career.
An Arizona native, Shannon was born in Prescott and grew up in Chino Valley. She grew up close to her family, loving music, the outdoors and driving a stick shift. As a young…
Sharon Skinner, a Mesa Community College alumna, is the Tempe Library's Spring 2019 Writer-in-Residence. Sharon is the author of fantasy, science fiction and paranormal novels for audiences of all ages, is an active member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and serves as the regional advisor for SCBWI Arizona. She graduated from MCC in 1997 with highest honors…
Volunteer to Visionary: How One Fashion Student Seized Every Opportunity to Break into the Industry
Sheena Adam’s career path follows in the footsteps of a family legacy and a desire to honor her grandmother. After graduating high school in 2004, she struggled and faced a period of uncertainty following the death of her grandmother. “Education was such a big thing to my grandmother,” she recalls. “I wanted to go to school no matter what to honor her dream for me.”
…
Alumnus Finds Dream Job at Waymo
Shelby Prockish always wanted to work for Google, but he never dreamed it would be as a self-driving vehicle safety specialist. He loves the fact that he’s part of a select group that is working to make transportation easier, more environmentally friendly and helpful to the elderly and blind population.
“Giving someone that freedom will be so cool,” Prockish said. “You could wake up, get…
For Shelby Prockish, 30, Mesa Community College’s Red Mountain Campus was just the right fit when he decided to pursue a degree.
“It just clicked with me,” Prockish said. “It’s a community out here. It’s so small, so friendly and you really know all the professors and staff as long as you utilize all the services—tutoring, student life,…
Sierra “Blitzen” Wallace has overcome a lot of obstacles to get to graduation. Family issues caused Wallace to move around a lot, which made school work difficult at times. But now, Wallace is set to graduate in May with not one, but four degrees.
Wallace ,who prefers to be called Blitzen (German for lightning), or Charboday (a combination of family names),…
Skylar Melancon, 17, of Mesa, comes from a single-parent household with two family members who are disabled. When she was 10, Skylar and her family relocated to Arizona from New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina.
“Although I was only ten, this experience made me realize that you can lose a lot of things in life, like money, homes, possessions, and more,” Melancon said. “An…
MCC Student Turns People Skills into Mortuary Science Career
Mesa Community College student Sonia Garcia-Tillson believes she has found her true calling.
After more than 30 years in real estate, banking and insurance, Sonia has put her customer relations skills to use in the mortuary field, assisting people with one of the most sensitive and emotional decisions we can make in life.
It’s not that…
Nursing Graduate Finds Program's Clinical Experience to be Invaluable
For Mesa Community College nursing graduate Spencer Stott, the decision to attend MCC was mostly all about convenience, but it soon became much more.
“I discovered how much I loved the place—the teachers, the students and the atmosphere—just everything,” Stott said.
Stott started out as a pre-med major, but switched to nursing. The day he entered the…
For Stacy Luster, a soon-to-be Mortuary Science graduate from Mesa Community College, the completion of his degree is an accomplishment that was 18 years in the making.
Luster’s dream for many years was to pursue a career in mortuary science, but the birth of his premature son 18 years ago forced him to put his dream on hold until he could reach that goal.…
History of ASU Book Written by MCC Alumna
Do you know the details of how Arizona State University’s “Sparky” mascot originated, or the history of the campus Victory Bell? Find out by reading “Arizona State University,” a new book by Mesa Community College alumna Stephanie R. deLusé, co-authored by Denise Bates.
Current and past students will enjoy learning about ASU’s history and how the university has grown to include four…
Alumnus Stephen Morgan Recalls First Days at MCC
Every time Mesa Community College alumnus Stephen Morgan steps foot on the Southern and Dobson campus, he thinks about the first time he came to campus in the ‘80s.
“I was living in Flint, Michigan, it was cold and my car wouldn’t start,” Morgan said. “I sold my car, bought a plane ticket to Arizona and signed up for classes at MCC.”
Morgan never looked back. After finishing…
Journalism Student Finds Her Passion at MCC
Writing has always been a passion for Mesa Community College student Sydney Ritter. At a young age, Ritter, 19, had a pencil in her hand and was writing her own stories, even though she couldn’t spell most words. She grew up in a home where her father taught her that education was important and her mother pushed her to always do her best.
“I always wanted to write, but for years I didn…
With help from family and the kindness of strangers, Taralee Williams graduates from Mesa Community College with an Associate in Applied Science AND a new car.
After the death of her husband, Williams needed to make some changes. She had four children to support and had always been interested in nursing, with a goal to become a school nurse.
“My sister-in-law, Kristina, offered for…
Mother of three and entrepreneur Tarryn Hoffmann works to make a mark in the fashion industry using the natural talent that Mesa Community College helped her to develop coupled with her motivation to be successful.
Earning a Costume Design & Production, Level 1 Certificate in May 2022, Tarryn plans to return to MCC to earn an Associate’s degree in Graphic Design-Art and…
Taylor Keeney is preparing to graduate from Mesa Community College this spring and plans to continue her education at Arizona State University, where she will pursue both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work over the next five years.
Keeney chose MCC for its accessibility and strong support systems, which helped make her educational goals attainable.…
Three siblings from Syria are proudly graduating from Mesa Community College this spring, with the goal to continue their education and earn bachelor’s degrees as they begin a new life in a new country.
The Aljazzar family includes Rima, 23, Katr Alnada, 22, and Ayman, 20. All three earned associate degrees and Arizona General Education Certificates from MCC.
When they first…
Shannon Poppell's dream of graduating from college alongside her two sons, Jeffrey and Kevin, is about to come true. When they receive their diplomas, it will be the culmination of time spent juggling many obligations. Shannon, 52, of Mesa, said to accomplish these goals, she recognizes the importance of having support and guidance through the college experience and beyond. She said she found…
Alumnus Thomas Patzner now at CBS News
Thomas Patzner typically begins his day early, around 3 a.m., preparing for CBS This Morning, a national news-features program that CBS has aired for several decades. Patzner, an MCC alumnus, has been with CBS since 2014, working as an audio engineer and technician.
He draws from more than 10 years of experience which began with MCC’s Audio Production Technology Program, where he…
MCC alum and instructor brings fashion industry insights
Tim Kaufman (2015) describes his teaching career as his “third act” in life.
The former costume designer’s journey in the fashion industry took him all over the country and eventually led him to Visual Merchandising roles in large department stores.
Tim first learned about costume design while working at a regional theater as a wardrobe supervisor. In this role…
Tim Werner: Bringing Biomechanics to Mesa, Hollywood, and Across the Globe
Athlete. Teaching Credentials in Physical Education and Adapted Physical Education. Professor. Coach. Inventor. Entrepreneur. Stuntman. Actor. Tim Werner’s experiences are varied and expansive.
Tim, a Thunderbird from the Class of 1976, grew up in Woodland Hills, California. He attended Notre Dame High School and became a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Champion in the pole…
Vietnam native Tin Nguyen faced many obstacles—a language barrier, financial needs and low self-confidence--when he began thinking about where to pursue an engineering degree in the United States.
A friend recommended Mesa Community College and after doing online research, Nguyen decided MCC was the college for him. He never looked back.
“I love MCC with all my heart,” said Nguyen…
Veteran Tina Carroll Shares Her Re-Entry Experience
Tina Carroll returned to college at MCC after being out of school for nearly 20 years. She now works as a Veteran Technician at Scottsdale Community College, assisting returning veterans much like herself.
Here’s what she had to say about her experience:
1) What was your experience at MCC like?My experience at MCC was wonderful! The interaction I had with the staff and the…
Tom Arviso Jr. Receives Native American Journalists Association Award
The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) selected Mesa Community College alumnus Tommy “Tom” Arviso Jr. as the 2021 NAJA-Medill Milestone Achievement Award recipient. The award honors an individual who has made a lasting impact on media to the benefit of Indigenous communities and is given jointly by NAJA and the Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing…
MCC Grad Returns as Disability Manager
Spina bifida may have robbed Mesa Community College’s Tom Kusek of the ability to walk, but it couldn’t suppress his drive to succeed.
A 2005 graduate of MCC and now the college’s Disability Resources Manager, Tom was already walking with a cane at age 21. A birth defect where there is incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spine, spina bifida affects up to 20…
Toni-Ann Gardner is excited to be celebrating her associate in applied science degree in Graphic Design at Mesa Community College’s 2026 graduation this spring. In recognition of academic excellence and leadership, she was selected as this year’s Class Honors Speaker.
“I've had a love of art for as long as I can remember, but when I found graphic design, that's…
Dental Hygiene Graduate Serves Others
Traci Priest is a member of Mesa Community College’s highly respected Dental Hygiene program from which she will be receiving an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene and be registered as a dental hygienist in May.
Traci’s stellar performance has placed her as top of her class. She is a member of the honors program, Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Chi Eta, and…
Mesa Community College graduate Trent Cortazzo, 20, of Mesa, found a fresh start at MCC after a less-than-stellar academic history at Red Mountain High School.
“I was always the kid that teachers said had potential,” Cortazzo said. “I did just enough to get by, ending up with a 2.9 GPA in high school. Since I didn’t have a plan, my dad thought I was a bad investment…
Mortuary Science Graduates to Continue Family Businesses
Local family-owned funeral homes have undergone many dramatic changes in the last decade. In response to economic conditions and changing preferences in the industry, a handful of large conglomerates have stepped in and purchased many smaller funeral homes that may not have family members who want to continue the business. While large corporations offer certain advantages to…
Many students in Mesa Community College’s Mortuary Science Program say their fellow students feel like family by the end of the program. But two of the grads, Tony and Tyler Parker, really are related.
The father and son pair, who have spent long hours studying and attending class together, are graduating with Associate in Applied Science degrees in Mortuary Science.…
MCC home of lifelong learning for Wayne Balmer
The Wayne Balmer learning affair with Mesa Community College began in the early 90s when he was community development manager for the City of Mesa. He says he studied to refresh his mind and focus on something besides his job, choosing those classes of interest that could fit into his work and life schedule.
Named Williams Gateway Area Manager in 2001, Balmer became the project manager…
MCC Alumna Wendy Nessl Provides Meteorology Expertise for SpaceX launch
When Wendy Nessl took meteorology classes at Mesa Community College in 2010-12, she never dreamed she would be participating in SpaceX’s first Falcon Heavy rocket launch that sent a Tesla sports car into orbit.
Nessl, 29, works for a contracting company that provides weather support for companies that launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. She said she was a bit surprised at the scope of…
Dance class at MCC prepares Xavier Patten for success as a performer at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios
Xavier Patten started out as a music major at Mesa Community College. His focus changed after taking a dance class.
Today he works for Walt Disney World in Orlando as a parade performer and at Universal Studios as a dancer.
“I just enjoyed the MCC dance class so much,” Xavier said. “MCC gave me the core of my dance training and I feel like it was the best place for me to get…
Leading MCC’s student government as president of the Associated Students of Mesa Community College (ASMCC), Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez, 23, earned her Associate in Arts in Arizona General Education Curriculum. She began her MCC journey while a high school student taking Early College courses through the Achieving College Success (ACE) program.
She said, “My ASMCC experience has been…
First-generation College Student Finds Prescription for Success
Zachary St. Martin has found the right prescription for his life. St. Martin will transfer to Arizona State University where he plans to major in the science of healthcare delivery with the intention of pursuing joint Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees. His goal is to become a physician-champion for medically underserved populations.
A…
Nursing graduate Zona Bailey comes full circle
As Zona Bailey looks out at the faces of the nursing students she teaches at Scottsdale Community College, she feels as though she has come full circle, sharing nursing knowledge with students of the next generation.
It wasn’t long ago that Bailey, looking to improve herself and her employment opportunities, returned to college in her late 20s, taking general studies classes at Mesa…