Information: First Lady Jill Biden visits MCC, recognizes success of Mesa College Promise

Published Monday, February 13, 2023

First Lady Jill Biden meeting MCC President, Dr. Tammy Robinson with MCC Mesa College Promise scholar observing. First Lady Jill Biden meeting MCC President, Dr. Tammy Robinson with MCC Mesa College Promise scholar observing. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona met with MCC President Dr. Tammy Robinson, City of Mesa Mayor John Giles, and other elected officials and educational administrators, at MCC on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, to recognize the collaborative success of the Mesa College Promise. The program allows eligible graduating Mesa high school students to attend MCC for two years with tuition and fees fully funded.

Others who provided remarks during the event include Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Arizona State Representative Greg Stanton and Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Steven Gonzales and MCC student Lilly Hernandez.

The Mesa College Promise is a public-private partnership providing financial support for students with demonstrated financial needs who have not received enough Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds or other scholarships to completely cover the cost of college. Funding is provided from U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, MCC student Lilly Hernandez look on as First Lady provides remarks. U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, MCC student Lilly Hernandez look on as First Lady provides remarks. the City of Mesa and Mesa businesses and philanthropists and is administered through the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. The Program is a commitment from the City of Mesa to its residents that all eligible graduating Mesa high school students can attend Mesa Community College for two years with Arizona resident tuition and fees fully funded.

Mesa College Promise donors include Apple, AT&T, CDW-G, Dexcom, IronMan Foundation, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., Meta, Salt River Project, Verizon and a number of philanthropists.

The application for the fall 2023 semester opens March 1. Eligibility includes a 2.0 or better high school GPA, Mesa residency and a commitment to taking a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Full details and a link to the application are available at mesacc.edu/college-promise.

MCC student and Mesa College Promise student, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. MCC student and Mesa College Promise student, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. Dr. Tammy Robinson, MCC president, addresses the crowd at the Feb. 13 event.Dr. Tammy Robinson, MCC president, addresses the crowd. Dignitaries and MCC student representative pose for a photo following the event. U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, Mesa College Promise scholar Lilly Hernandez, First Lady Jill Biden, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Mesa Mayor John Giles, MCC President, Dr. Tammy Robinson and Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor, Dr. Steven Gonzales.