Jocelyn “Jo” Mandal receives a Certificate of Merit as part of the Outstanding Advising Award-Primary Advising Role from the National Academic Advising Association. MESA, Ariz. -- Nov. 23, 2021 -- Jocelyn Mandal, student services analyst-advising at the Mesa Community College Red Mountain Campus, receives the Certificate of Merit as part of the Outstanding Advising Award-Primary Advising Role from the National Academic Advising Association. She shares the recognition with only 15 advising professionals across the globe.

Mandal, who was honored at the recent NACADA Global Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, has held her position at the Red Mountain Campus since 2019 and leads the campus advising team. “I was stunned to receive the award and I’m deeply honored,” said the Chandler resident. “The NACADA global awards are known to be highly selective. The process is rigorous and requires that candidates meet a lengthy list of criteria. In addition, it’s open to universities and colleges not only in the US but also globally.”

Established in 1983, the NACADA Global Awards Program for Academic Advising annually recognizes individuals who have demonstrated qualities associated with outstanding academic advising of students or outstanding advising administration. The organization is a representative and advocate of academic advising and those providing that service to higher education.

Among the many achievements highlighted in Mandal’s nomination was the launch of an online advising course for undecided students during the Covid-19 pandemic. The course enables students who have not declared a major or program of study to connect with advisors virtually, using a flipped advising approach. “I created an MCC Advising 101 course designed to increase student success during their first semester and connect them to their field of interest through a college orientation, career planning, goal setting and academic planning,” she explained. “My goal was to help all my students declare a program of study or choose a pathway after their first semester.” The program continues to be used by her Fall 2021 semester students at the Red Mountain and Mesa campuses..

Mandal also provides support for case management advising for undecided students.

Before joining the MCC Red Mountain Campus advising team, Mandal spent four years at the MCC Southern and Dobson Campus as a student services specialist before being named a student services analyst for the STEM Field of Interest in 2018.

“What I like most about my job is meeting students throughout the day, hearing their stories and having an opportunity to make a difference in their lives,” she said. “I am motivated every time I see my students connect with who they are now, what they are learning and who they want to become in the future.”

# # #

Contact: Dawn Zimmer, (480) 461-7892, Dawn.Zimmer@mesacc.edu

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses, additional locations and a combination of online formats. Through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, MCC is transforming how it champions student success, college completion, university transfer and career attainment and advancement. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution and nearly 50% of its students are the first in their families to attend college. Its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized tribes of Arizona as well as out-of-state tribes. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The diverse student body includes more than 300 international students from 55 countries. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to successfully transfer to a university or compete in the workforce. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.

Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)-- hlcommission.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. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.