Recognized for academic achievement and distinguished leadership

MESA, Arizona – March 9, 2017 -- Four high-achieving Mesa Community College students were celebrated for their outstanding academic achievements and distinguished leadership at the 2017 All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony being held today, March 9, at the Hilton Phoenix/Mesa, 1011 W. Holmes Ave., Mesa.

Phi Theta Kappa, American Association of Community Colleges, Arizona Community Colleges and the Arizona Board of Regents help these exceptional students reach their educational goals by awarding scholarships and issuing tuition waivers to Arizona’s three universities: University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.

To be considered for an All-Arizona Academic Team, students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, be in good academic standing, be working on an associate degree, demonstrate leadership, and be involved on campus and/or volunteer in their communities.

Judging to select the recipients consisted of three rounds. In the first round, a group of local businesses, civic, education, and government leaders reviewed applications and chose the recipients of the award. Only two students are selected from each college campus. The selected recipients’ applications were then forwarded to Washington, D.C., for second and third rounds of judging and scoring by representatives from various federal agencies and national education associations. Those scores were used to rank the students for first, second or third state teams. First Team members receive a $1,000 scholarship to one of Arizona’s state universities, Second Team members a $750 scholarship and Third Team members a $500 scholarship.

Mesa Community College, Red Mountain Campus

Mesa Community College, Southern and Dobson Campus

Oakes plans to attend the Disney College Program and progress to the position of Disney Creative Designer. Shelledy plans to transfer to the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, ultimately earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Her career goal is to work at NASA to develop pharmaceuticals for space missions.

Two previous All-Arizona Academic Team members will deliver keynote addresses during the ceremony. Anthony Meza, a graduate student in the Professional Science Master’s Nanoscience program at Arizona State University, represented Northland Pioneer College during the 2013 All-Arizona ceremony. Rio Salado’s 2012 All-Arizona Academic Team member Jennifer Papworth, currently serves as the District Representative for Congressman Raul Grijalva.

Twenty students will be named to the All-USA Community College Academic Team from the state first teams. All-USA Team members will each receive a $2,500 stipend, medallion, obelisk, and certificate. These recognitions are presented to students at a ceremony at the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Annual Convention.

In addition, the Coca-Cola Foundation, along with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, recognizes the New Century Scholars. Fifty students will be named Gold Scholars, receiving $1,500; 50 students will be named Silver Scholars, receiving $1,250; and 50 students will be named Bronze Scholars, receiving $1,000. A state may have multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze Scholars. All scholars also receive special medallions. The top scoring student in each of the 50 states will be named a New Century Scholar and will receive a $2,000 stipend. New Century Scholars will also be recognized at the AACC Convention.

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All-Arizona Team member photos are available by calling the contact listed below.

Media Contact
Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for service-learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to 30,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 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. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. MCC, located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.

Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) http://www.ncahlc.org

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.