Hometown News Release

Share the news of your college success!

To mark this important milestone, we encourage you to email a personalized news release to your local newspapers, town/city website, high school alumni office, workplace or where you worship. Use the template below to develop a customized ‘Hometown News Release’ about yourself (or your student), including major(s), academic honors, volunteer or internship experiences, study abroad trips, and/or plans for the future.

Download the sample news release (provided in Microsoft Word).
Replace bracketed information with your personal details.
Prepare an email with the subject line “Local resident graduates from Mesa Community College.”
Paste the personalized release directly into an email message addressed to the media or other places you wish to notify. Messages containing attachments may be flagged as spam.

Hometown News Release Template

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Name of your city] Resident Graduates from Mesa Community College

[City, STATE -- May ___, 2019 ] — [First and Last Name] of [City, State] graduated from Mesa Community College with [a/an Degree or Certificate] in May 2019.

[Insert the appropriate degree or certificate information here – select from samples below or visit http://www.mesacc.edu/programs/degrees for information.]

While at Mesa Community College, [Last name’s] activities included [clubs, sports, volunteerism, service learning, work, jobs, honor societies, etc.] In addition, [s/he completed a senior thesis, titled…, or s/he studied abroad at XYZ institution in X country].

[Last name] plans to [work at ABC Company in City, State, or attend XYZ graduate school, or travel, volunteer, etc.] after graduation.

OPTIONAL: A [year] graduate of [Name of High School] in [City, State], [Last name] is the [son/daughter] of [parents’ names].

Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is nationally recognized for its service-learning, civic engagement and innovative educational programs, which include university transfer, career and technical, workforce development, and lifelong learning. Host to 30,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degrees and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC’s student body hails predominantly from the East Valley of Phoenix and includes Veteran, American Indian and International students who enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. MCC is one of 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. The District also includes the Maricopa Corporate College and two skill centers. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.

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[Optional – Photo available upon request.]

Contact: [Your name, phone number and email address – so media may reach you if they are interested in asking questions or wish to include a photo.]

Sample language for second paragraph

AA: The Associate in Arts degree (AA) is an undergraduate academic degree designed for students with a major in liberal arts. The degree consists of general education requirements as well as electives. These credits can be transferred to a university for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

AGS: The Associate in General Studies degree (AGS) is an undergraduate degree specifically designed for flexibility. An AGS allows students to achieve a broad education that isn’t specific to any major or profession, while still obtaining an academic degree.

AAS: The Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS) is an undergraduate academic degree designed for students desire to gain a depth of technical expertise by completing an occupational program. Students who successfully complete the AAS degree at an Arizona public community college are eligible for admission to any Arizona public university offering the Bachelor of Science (BAS) degree.

[Visit https://www.mesacc.edu/programs/degrees for additional language specific to the AAS degree earned.]

CCL: A Certificate of Completion (CCL) gives students the opportunity to earn a credential specific to a profession. The competencies and requirements of the certificate help prepare students for entry-level positions in businesses and industries in their chosen field. [Insert information specific to type of certificate -- Web design, computer science, photography, manufacturing, etc.]

[Visit mesacc.edu and search for Certificate of Completion to find language specific to the CCL earned.]

AC: An Academic Certificate (AC) is designed for students who want to gain additional experience in an academic area and earn a certificate without having to complete general education requirements. [Insert information specific to academic area of the certificate earned.]

Sample completed Hometown News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mesa Resident Graduates from Mesa Community College

MESA, Arizona – May __, 2017 – Xxx Xxxx of Mesa graduated from Mesa Community College with an Associate in Arts degree in May 2017.

The Associate in Arts degree (AA) is an undergraduate academic degree designed for students with a major in liberal arts. The degree consists of general education requirements as well as electives focused in the area of fine arts. These credits can be transferred to a university for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

While at Mesa Community College, Xxxx’s was accepted into the Honors program and received the Presidents’ Scholarship. In addition, s/he worked as News Editor for the campus newspaper, the Mesa Legend, and completed service learning in media relations in the college’s Institutional Advancement office.

Xxxx plans to transfer to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ZZZ State University after graduation and pursue a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

A 2012 graduate of Desert Ridge High School in Mesa, Arizona, Xxxx is the daughter of Yyy Xxxx also of Mesa.

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.