MESA, Ariz. -- July 29, 2024 -- Mesa Community College Sustainable Agriculture and Landscape Horticulture Program Director, Michael Gaspar, was named a 2024 U.S. Department of Agriculture E. Kika De La Garza Fellow, one of 32 faculty and staff chosen from Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Hispanic-Serving School Districts across the nation.

“I am deeply honored to be selected as a Kika De La Garza Fellow,” said Gaspar. “Ultimately I will incorporate what I learn into my curriculum and share it with the broader community through outreach programs empowering urban farmers and raising awareness of helpful USDA initiatives.”

Gaspar recently joined other Fellows for a week of meetings with leaders from different USDA agencies in the Washington, D.C. area to learn more about national and regional issues, policy making and research; and learning how USDA services and programs can benefit students, programs and the community.

“Being from Yuma, the winter lettuce capital of the world, I grew up around agriculture spending many summers working alongside my family at my grandmother’s peach tree and cattle ranch in Mexico,” said Gaspar. “These experiences and what I learned being active in Future Farmers of America, helped shape my desire to educate others and prepare students for agriculture careers.”

At MCC, Gaspar teaches students, among other things, essential farming principles and practices, plant growth and development; sustainable crop production, hydroponics and integrated pest management.

“MCC’s dedication to hands-on agriculture education and my vision to utilize the fellowship to further enhance our programs and outreach initiatives will directly benefit our students,” he says. “This enriched curriculum will equip my students with the most advanced sustainable agriculture practices and relevant skills for careers and access to opportunities such as USDA grants and loans to start their own businesses,” he says.

Gaspar is a candidate in Murray State University’s Ed.D. Program in P-20 and Community Leadership. He holds a master’s degree in Career and Technical Education from Eastern New Mexico University and a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Technology Management & Education from the University of Arizona.

Learn more about the MCC Landscape Horticulture/Sustainable Agriculture programs, Center for Urban Agriculture and state-of-the-art teaching greenhouse at mesacc.edu/programs/landscape-horticulture.

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu or 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, service-learning and innovative approaches to education. On average MCC students provide 23,000 hours of community service annually. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 25,400 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations through a combination of modalities. MCC is transforming how it champions student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution with nearly 50% of its students being the first in their families to attend college. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges; its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes as well as out-of-state tribes. The diverse student body includes hundreds of international students from around the world. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to attain their goals. 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.

MCC 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.