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Legacy of Excellence

MCC Celebrates 60 Years

Since 1965 Mesa Community College has evolved from a small institution to a vibrant community hub serving thousands of students annually. Through our unwavering commitment to accessible, high-quality education, we remain an integral part of the city of Mesa, with a positive impact extending far beyond its borders.

Success Stories

For more than half a century, students have charted their path to success at Mesa Community College. Here we feature a compendium of their inspiring stories and Q&A reflections, cataloged together to celebrate MCC’s 60th anniversary.

Micky Scala
Jerod Focht
Mike Brown
Smiling male teenager in blue graduation cap and gown.
Lorena Austin
Eric Breault
Ebony Koger
Debby Seals
Charis Hayward
Cheryl Fillmore
Courtney Waxman
Sierra “Blitzen” Wallace
Alan Beveridge
Charles A. Finch
Karl McPhee
Dustin Smith
Sara Ballard
Diego Santos
Ivan Quintana
Stacy Luster
Brian Koeneman
Charlotte Fornasiero
Tom Kusek
Man smiling wearing white t-shirt and black and gray jacket.
Melanie Clover Delgado
Johnathan Speakman
Renae Blackwater
Nawaf Faie
Joan Sullivan Garrett
Karl Schroeder
Shannon Gunz
Molly O’Dwyer
Marcus Campbell
Hannya Jimenez
Douglas Miles Street Mural
Jacy Smith
Elaine Atwood
Jessica Lake
Patrick McGarey
Kashmir Baillie
Phil Reese
Malique Washington
Renae Blackwater
Alisa Tripiciano
Kaelin Shaker
Jacob Moore
Tim Kaufman
Alexis Reid
Wendy Nessl
Brad Hull
Matthew Skabelund
Maigon Caviness
Nicholas Magel
Mariah Pahona-Charlie
Aaron Holtz
Aron Mixson
Shelby Prockish
Leigh Gosney and Katelyn Gosney
Harmony Colella
Sonia Garcia-Tillson
Ron Colburn
Ronald Colwell Jr.
Bonnie Brockway
Kelley Stewart
Angel Ruvalcaba
Kenna Graff
Geoff Coppola
Dave Schneider
James Gaspar
Madelyne Dhimes
Deborah Bateman
Kevin, Shannon and Jeffrey Poppell
Jason Carter and his son wearing a baseball cap
Emigdio Arredondo
Wayne Balmer
James Abbott
Abby Scott Nonthe
Ricky LeDesma
Shelby Prockish
Madison Franklin
Celina Johnson
Monique Griego
Tyler Adair, Bryce Bunker, and Bill Lowman
Ange Good Bear
Elliott Adams
Gisell Stephenson
Brooklynn Nichole Contreras
Lucas Bodine with family
Jessica Siegel
Photo not available. A blue graduation cap with a 2019 tassel.
Sydney Ritter
photo of Marvin Scott
Kimberly Wise
Skylar Melancon
Andy Bridges
Zona Bailey
Dana Gallagher
Rebecca Roberts
Kevin Tran
photo of Shachi Kale
Hannah Somerville
Karina Aguilar
Nancy Donsbach
Traci Priest
Michael Nuccio
Kylee Gillespie
Dawson Weiss
Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez
Joel Cranson & Kevin Herrmann
Merri Stafford with family and instructor
Gabriela Mansilla
Jennifer Duff
Brock Blasdell
Nancy Esparza & Vicente Esparza Ortiz
Kevin Keleher
Marie-Catherine Smith
Spencer Stott
photo of Kyana Young
James Schwarz
Robin Wilson
Josh Malone
Jammie Hoffman & Aaron Hoffman
Thomas Patzner
photo of Hannah Cheloha
Stephen Morgan
Tina Carroll
photo of Lyle Jones
Benjamin Rundall
Gilbert Orrantia
Garry Weiss
Candace Wilson
Christina Court
Luis Garcia
Alli Gloyd
Patrick Wheeler at his workstation with multiple monitors.
Asmera McNeace
Charles Spencer
Scott Everett
Aljazzar Family
Manny Romero
Joshua Sykes
Njideka Nwalor
Cynthia Walker
Rebekah Ward
Tim Werner
Trent Cortazzo
Smiling man with glasses, coat and tie.
Scott Mackey
Katrina Patterson
Justin Freemyer
Michelle and Melanie Craven
Nikelle Mackey
Anthony Gilbertson
Jonathon Van Ormer
Nathan Pan
picture of Tom Arviso Jr.
James Hoselton
Rosaline Dye
Xavier Patten
Mary Ann Jalloh
Karri Sisson
Misty Stickney
Robert Rangel
Joshua McDonald
Stephanie R. deLusé
Jessica Bailey Brooke and William Price
Smiling woman with long brown hair and black sweater.
Arlen Sykes
Zachary St. Martin
Astika Agung
Angela Coleman
Maxwell Manning
Blockchain cohort
Alia Brown
Tyler and Tony Parker
Tarryn Hoffmann
Joshua Sykes
Abigaly Atonal Rodriquez
Noemi Panza
Bryan Plummer and the Robert White Team
Christopher Hunt
Granville Carroll
Danette Key
Amanda Camacho
Monica Trejo
Brandon Alexander

Timeline

Celebrating moments

From the 1960's to Today

From the 1960s to the present day, Mesa Community College has been part of the fabric of the city of Mesa and the Southeast Valley. We’ve grown up with the city and surrounding areas, now bustling with more than 515,000 residents, the second-largest city in Arizona. MCC has grown from 330 students who enrolled for the first semester in 1963 to serving more than 25,500 learners annually. We invite you to explore our history.

1963

Expanding Forward

Phoenix College - Mesa Extension

Mesa operated as an extension campus of Phoenix College and was located at 809 W. Main Street in Mesa.  This building, built in 1911, was used by MCC until 1965. The main room was the library and classrooms were in the basement. Today this site is wedding venue.

809 W. Main Street in Mesa

1963

The First President

Start of a legacy

John Riggs was appointed Executive Dean of the Mesa Extension. Once Mesa became a full college, he served as President until 1974.

John Riggs, Executive Dean of the Mesa Extension

1963

The First Semester

Registering for the future

330 students registered for classes the first semester at the Mesa Extension on Sept. 11. The full time teachers that first semester were: Bob Reid, Division Chair of Science and Math; Joe Shirley, Division Chair, Social Science; Leon Kearney, Business Division Chair; Margaret Allison Watkins, Language Arts Division Chair; Jeanette DePriest, Library Division Chair; Lot Christensen, Division of Health and P.E. Chair; John Morris, Social Science; Sherry Little, English and Business; Bill Kendall, German and English; Lee Wallis, French and English; Marsha Head, Women's Physical Education.

First semester at MCC

1964

Welcome the Hokams

MCC athletics begins

Mesa students voted Hokams as the nickname for their athletic teams. The name originated from the ancient Indian tribe, the Hohokam, who lived in the Salt River Valley.

Hokams Football Team off to Roswell, NM (1967)

1964

A New Home

Planting roots in Mesa

Capital funds from the bond election enabled Mesa Community College to purchase 120 acres with an option to purchase an adjoining 40 acres for the new campus at Dobson and Southern Roads in Mesa.

Southeast Campus

1965

The First Yearbook

Publishing history

Mesa Extension published its first yearbook called Jacali. The name is the Spanish word for the Hohokam Indian dwelling. This tied the yearbook to the MCC mascot, the Hokam. Jacali was published 1965 – 1979.

1965

The Great Divide

Mesa Community College finds its identity

On April 12th the Maricopa Junior College District Board named Mesa Community College and Glendale Community College as separate institutions from Phoenix College.  Dr. John D. Riggs, Dean of the Mesa Extension, became Executive Dean of Mesa Community College. Other MCC administrators were: Keith Breon, Dean of Admissions; Jinnett Kirk, Dean of Students; and Theo Heap, Associate Dean of Students.

Southern & Dobson

1965

The Governing Board Officially Changed the Name

On July 1, 1965, the Governing Board officially changed the name to Mesa Community College.

1965

Breaking Ground

It's official

Mesa Community College's ground breaking ceremony on October 15th was conducted by Student Body President “Jeep” Anderson.

Student Body President "Jeep" Anderson.

1966

A Grand Opening

Southern & Dobson Campus opens

Mesa Community College opened at its new site on the corner of Dobson and Southern. The buildings: the student center, the science building, the maintenance building and 26 portable classrooms - giving MCC the nickname “portable university.”

Mesa Community College opens at Southern & Dobson

1966

Rainy Day Orientation

Delayed - but not deterred

Student orientation day on the new MCC campus was held on September 14th. It rained hard all day. The parking lots had not yet been paved. The area where the math science (MS) building now stands was under water. The huge puddle was named “Lake Hokam” and a jeep was needed to tow cars to solid ground. Classes were delayed another 3 days, but began with a record enrollment of 2,053 students.

Orientation 1966

1966

Horlbeck, Hickman & Associates was the architectural firm for the new campus.

Did you know

Horlbeck, Hickman & Associates was the architectural firm for the new campus.

1966

Campus Dedication Day

Registration in record numbers

Mesa Community College campus dedication day was held October 30. The program was held in the area north of the student union and west of the flagpole. Fall registration was 3,850.

Campus Dedication Day

1968

The First Graduation on Campus

Leading the way for future generations

Mesa Community College graduated its first class on its new campus in ceremonies May 29, at 8 p.m. 253 students graduated. The 1966 and 1967 Commencement Ceremonies were held at Rendezvous Park in Mesa.

The First Graduation Day

1968

Preparing for Gold

MCC takes its athletics to the next level

MCC became a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), enabling our athletic programs to compete on the national level. Twenty-one National Championships and more than 144 Conference Titles won since 1968.

MCC became a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

1968

Going the Distance

Track and field shine

MCC men's outdoor track and field won the national championship in 1968 and 1969. Ernie Bullard was their first head coach, followed in 1969 by Coach Carvel Jackson, who won 5 national titles. MCC track and field has produced more than 127 All-Americans including Mark Murro, who competed in the 1968 Olympics for javelin throw.  

Men's Track & Field

1969

Touchdown HoKams

A cornerstone for MCC Athletics

Dedication of the football stadium

Dedication of the football stadium

Please note that the milestones on this timeline are highlights, and do not represent all activities in MCC’s history because of the volume of items and space limitations.