Damarious Randall was a first-round draft pick for the Green Bay Packers
At MCC, we never tire of hearing about the pursuits and successes of our alumni. Below is a compilation of alumni who have been in the news this school year. If you or a fellow alum is featured in the news, we’d like to know. Send the information to marcy.snitzer@mesacc.edu.
One of our top news makers this year is Damarious Randall, who was selected by the Green Bay Packers as their first-round pick at number 30 overall. Links to his story are listed below.
New local business providing princesses for parties
Spoonful of Sugar Events was created by 21-year-old Danielle Jake, a lifelong Ahwatukee resident, and 19-year-old Ryann Franklin. The two young entrepreneurs decided to start the business this year after meeting at another princess party. As for [Ryann] Franklin, she says costuming is something she fell in love with after working with costumes in the theater department at Mesa Community College.
Ahwatukee Foothills News, September 10, 2014
ASU Alum Thrives as Community Liaison
MCC alum Stephanie Salazar is now director of East Valley community and municipal relations in ASU’s Office of Public Affairs on the Polytechnic campus.
ASU News, October 13, 2014
MCC Alum Ben Garcia is Best Concert Photographer Finalist
MCC alum Ben Garcia is one of ten finalists in New Times' Best Concert Photographer contest.
Phoenix New Times, October 20, 2014
ASU Women Hope to Build Off NCAA Tournament Appearance
Article about ASU women's basketball mentions MCC alumni Promise Amukamara and her younger sister, Peace. The Mesa Community College transfer was the NJCAA Division II Player of the Year.
AZ Central, October 22, 2014
Boivin: Common Goals Bond Together All Sun Devils
Sun Devil defense has benefited from JC transfers, starting with the team's leading tackler, Randall, who also played baseball and had two junior college stops, including Mesa Community College.
AZ Central, November 2, 2014
ASU Alumna Makes Handbags with Heart
ASU and MCC alumna Jennifer Boonlorn has created "Soul Carrier" handbags. After graduating ASU, Boonlorn went to Mesa Community College to look into its fashion and design program because, as she says, she was always interested in design.
State Press, November 3, 2014
Sister Act Headlines ASU Women's Basketball Season
The sister era is dawning for Arizona State women's basketball. Peace Amukamara is in this season, reuniting with her sister, Promise, a senior. Peace, coming off a national junior-college title at Mesa Community College, isn't setting any limits.
AZ Central, November 12, 2014
Finding a Mentor and Being One
MCC Alum William Brickhouse is mentor to students.
Arizona Informant, November 20, 2014
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PHS Grad Randall Selected Senior Bowl
Damarious Randall has overcome injury and successfully transitioned to become one of the nation’s top defensive football players at Arizona State, and on Monday, he accepted his selection to the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl to be played Jan. 24 in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Randall left his mark while at Mesa Community College as he was named an NJCAA First Team All-American and the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference defensive player of the year.
Pensacola News Journal, December 2, 2014
Education Grad Goes Above and Beyond, Secures Dream Teaching Job
Laurie Dutton, named a 2014 Outstanding Teacher Candidate in Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU, found her calling during an introductory education course at MCC.
ASU News, December 11, 2014
ASU's Strong, Randall Named SI.com All-Americans
Former MCC football player Damarious Randall is named Sports Illustrated All-American.
---TEMPE, Ariz. -- Sports Illustrated mentioning Arizona State receiver Jaelen Strong and defensive back Damarious Randall on its All-American team simultaneously brought about two questions concerning the future of Sun Devil football.
Fox Sports, December 16, 2014
Evelyn Plantillas Celebrates Golden Anniversary as MCC Student
MCC alum Evelyn Plantillas tells her story of the beginnings of MCC for the AZ Informant.
AZ Informant, January 14, 2015
Promise's Improved Play Drives ASU
Former MCC T-Bird basketball player Promise Amukamara's performance has driven the Sun Devils to the best start in school history and one of the biggest surprises of the season.
ESPN, January 28, 2015
Baseball Eagles Hire Assistant Coach
Southern Miss baseball coach Scott Berry announced Tuesday the addition of Damon Lessler as an assistant coach/coordinator of camps for the program. Lessler formerly played for MCC.
The Clarion-Ledger, January 28, 2015
Apache Junction's Taylor is February Artist of the Month
Superstition Arts and Cultural Alliance and Dreams and Legends Gallery have announced their selection of David Scott Taylor, an MCC alum, as February Superstition Artist of the Month.
Mesa Independent, February 17, 2015
Mesa Interim Police Chief's Goal: Big Impact in Short Time
Meza is an MCC alum and thanks former Chief Dennis Donna for driving him to Mesa Community College to get him started. He ended up eventually earning a Master's Degree.
The Republic, February 27, 2015
Goodguys Spring Nationals: Trust is Key for Car Builder
Tony Arme, 30, and an MCC grad, is a rising star in the high-dollar and highly competitive world of custom automobiles.
AZ Republic, March 11, 2015
Talk of the Town: Save Public Education from Politicians
Juliette Maiorana, an Arizona native and graduate of MCC, defends community colleges.
The Daily Courier – Prescott, March 19, 2015
Mesa College Has Supported Its Community for Decades
A My Turn column by Roc Arnett: Community colleges have become increasingly necessary over the years, and I'm honored to have led this one.
Arizona Republic, April 7, 2015
Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Graham
MCC education alumnus Anthony Graham is featured in NACCTEP News. He founded a leadership program for young men in northern Alabama called Ready yoUrself for the Future, also known as R.U.F.F. Their mission is to empower young men to become outstanding leaders in their home, school, and community. In just four years, they have mentored over 900 young men.
National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs Newsletter, April 21, 2015
BMCC Welcomes New Executive Director
Monday, April 20 marked the first day on the job for BMCC’s new Executive Director of Public Affairs, Manny Romero. Romero, who is also a product of the public community college system, earned an associate degree at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona.
Borough of Manhattan Community College – City University of New York, April 24, 2015
Damarious Randall Took Unusual Path to Green Bay's Secondary
On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers made the defensive back Damarious Randall, an MCC alumnus, their first-round draft pick at No. 30 overall.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, May 1, 2015
Postcrescent.com, May 7, 2015
Kathleen Stefanik Chosen 2015 Barrett Honors College Outstanding Graduate
MCC alumna Kathleen Stefanik has been chosen as the 2015 Barrett Honors College Outstanding Graduate and will carry the college’s gonfalon in a convocation ceremony on May 12. She graduated with highest distinction from the MCC honors program with an associate of arts degree and transferred directly into ASU’s College of Technology & Innovation and Barrett Honors College.
ASU Barrett Honors College, April 29, 2015
Kellis Graduate Gets Ready for Shot at LPGA Tour
Mary Driscol spent two years at Mesa Community College and another year at Arizona Christian University. As she heads off to law school, Driscol is also focused on continuing her golf career by playing on The Cactus Tour this year before attempting to qualify for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) within the next couple years.
Glendale Star, May 6, 2015
Meet Your Neighbor: Joy Bickham
MCC employee and alumna Joy Bickham is featured in the Mesa Independent's "Meet Your Neighbor" column.
Mesa Independent, May 5, 2015