MESA, Arizona – Oct. 19, 2016 -- Mesa Community College (MCC) has been named to the 2015 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in three categories: General Community Service, Economic Opportunity and Education.
"MCC, with strong roots in service-learning, civic participation and innovative teaching, has been honored by this recognition since its inception," said Mesa Community College President Sasan Poureetezadi. “We remain committed to working with our local and national community to prepare students to be engaged and informed citizens through authentic experiences.”
Service-learning is offered in every discipline at MCC and is a required component of programs such as Administration of Justice, Computer Information Systems, Education and Social Work.
MCC students engaged in nearly 142,540 hours of service during the 12-month period covered in the 2015 Honor Roll recognition.
The college’s commitment to improving the quality of life of its off-campus community is exhibited through a tapestry of activities including service-learning projects with the Guanajuato Study Abroad Program and literacy outreach with Mesa elementary school children.
One of the ways MCC students chose to build economic independence, increase family stability and create a more sustainable and resilient community was through a campaign to raise awareness and empower change around the social and economic issues of human trafficking. The campaign included a community film screening of “Not My Life,” which was followed by facilitated discussion with faculty, victims and community members. Students also held presentations and participated in community-sponsored events on the issue.
MCC students improved the quality of developmental education programs through the coordination of in-class, peer-to-peer tutoring, which resulted in an 82 percent retention rate at the final week of class. The very successful “PASS: Math” program will be sustained by the MCC Math department with support from MCC’s Center for Community & Civic Engagement.
“Our students consistently provide thousands of hours of service annually, benefitting those most in need in our community,” said Duane Oakes, faculty director, MCC Center for Community & Civic Engagement. “We are educated along with our students through our service to others.”
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and service, has administered the award since 2006 in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the American Council on Education, Campus Compact and the Interfaith Youth Core.
The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community challenges. As a result, more students are likely to pursue a lifelong path of civic engagement that achieves meaningful and measurable outcomes in their communities.
More information about the Honor Roll, including a full list of this year’s winners, is available at nationalservice.org.
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Contact
Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
About MCC Community & Civic Engagement
MCC’s Center for Community & Civic Engagement Department promotes excellence in teaching and learning through active service to prepare individuals to be socially responsible and civically engaged. MCC students have contributed more than 1.6 million hours of service as part of their education. Agencies and organizations wishing to join the more than 300 active MCC service-learning partners may self-nominate online at mesacc.edu/community-civic-engagement/service-sites.
About the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
Mesa Community College 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 40,000 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.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) http://www.ncahlc.org, 800-621-7440.
The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.