For Mesa Community College (MCC) student Matthew Skabelund, 23, education is more than learning facts and figures. Skabelund, who attended the Red Mountain and Southern and Dobson campuses, said he has discovered traits such as perseverance and resilience are equally important as he pursues his degree in physical therapy.

“Completing my education has become much more about excelling as an individual who contributes to the community rather than getting good grades,” said Skabelund, a Mesa resident. “I imagine that when I face adversity or challenging opportunities at work, I will find qualities such as resilience and having strong communication skills to be just as helpful as, say, my ability to recall what I've studied in anatomy.”

Skabelund decided to attend MCC after receiving the Presidents’ Honors Scholarship, which covered his tuition. Additionally, this spring he received an Honors Achievement Award and was named an All-Arizona Academic Team honoree.

He said his time at MCC was challenging as he overcame obstacles such as procrastination and working while being a full-time honors student. Skabelund also had challenges within his family, as he recently almost lost his twin sister to sepsis.

He said in addition to his parents providing emotional support, MCC’s Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa were extremely helpful during his schooling.

“I want to thank many of my professors, including Mike Brown, Dennis Wilson, Puvana Ganesan, Derek Borman, Anthoney Stock and others, for their assistance.”

Skabelund plans to transfer to Arizona State University where he will major in kinesiology in anticipation of entering a physical therapy program for his bachelor’s degree and ultimately a clinical doctorate in physical therapy.

Skabelund said he would also recommend MCC’s tutoring centers for any student struggling with a subject.

“I spent a lot of time in the tutoring centers,” he said. “I would try to budget my time to what mattered most or was most urgent. I’ll never forget MCC’s Honors Program and the help that I received from the faculty. I would definitely recommend MCC to others.”