Former Mesa Community College (MCC) student Hannah Cheloha’s efforts in app development is earning national recognition. This summer, her tech-driven ideas to mitigate food insecurity across the Maricopa Community Colleges were again highlighted during an event at the White House.

In July, Hannah attended a workforce readiness Ad Council Campaign conference called “Try Something New” led by Ivanka Trump. She was introduced by Apple CEO Tim Cook and her work on MCC’s iOS app development classes were exemplified as the avenue she used to channel her passion and background in American Sign Language (ASL). Her new app, ASL Interactive Dictionary, aims to broaden the reach of ASL.

Hannah is no stranger to the White House. In 2019 she represented the Maricopa County Community College District at the Pledge to America’s Workers Month campaign event due to her success in the MCC Everyone Can Code program, an Apple curriculum designed to help students learn Swift computer coding language.

“Being invited to the White House was unexpected, flattering, and a testament to the hard work on the partnership between MCC and Apple to create new opportunities for students and local entrepreneurs like myself,” she said.