MESA, Ariz., Oct. 8, 2018 – Mesa Community College is pleased to welcome 12 international exchange students to contribute to our vibrant campus community during the 2018-2019 academic year as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Community College Initiative (CCI) Program. The CCI Program will provide 146 participants from underserved global communities with a one-year non-degree academic program in workforce development fields at nine U.S. community colleges in eight states. This year, CCI participants studying at MCC are from Turkey, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Colombia, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt.
“This year’s cohort of students are focused on careers in business, early childhood education and sustainable agriculture,” states C.C.I. Program Coordinator, Paul Patterson.
The CCI Program is designed to build participants’ technical skills, enhance leadership capabilities, and strengthen English language proficiency. The program also provides opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and community engagement activities to build relations between citizens of the United States and other countries. During the 2017-2018 program year, CCI participants contributed nearly $1 million in service to local U.S. communities through volunteering and unpaid internships, as calculated by independentsector.org rates for volunteer hours. CCI participants also contribute to their U.S. host communities by bringing diverse, global perspectives to classrooms, campus life and local organizations.
After completing the CCI Program, participants return home with a deeper understanding of U.S. culture and with improved technical and vocational skills to contribute to the economic development of their home communities.
Since 2007, the CCI Program has hosted more than 2,900 participants from 21 countries. This U.S. Department of State program is administered by Northern Virginia Community College on behalf of the Community College Consortium. For further information, please contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at eca-press@state.gov.
# # #
Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892
The Community College Initiative Program (CCI) provides scholarships to spend up to one academic year at U.S community colleges. Participants build technical skills and may earn certificates in their fields of study. Through professional internships, service learning, and community engagement activities, participants strengthen English language proficiency and immerse themselves in the culture and day-to-day life of the United States.
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for service-learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to higher education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution with a diverse student body that enriches the learning experience. Renowned faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and nationally. MCC, located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, is one of 10 colleges comprising the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information visit mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) http://www.ncahlc.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District.
The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.