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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.

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

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.