MESA, Arizona – March 28, 2023 – Mesa Community College (MCC) is designated a Voter Friendly Campus for 2023-2024 by the Campus Vote Project of the Fair Elections Center, and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Both are national, nonpartisan organizations based in Washington, D.C.

MCC was one of 359 colleges across 39 states and one of only eight colleges in Arizona to earn the Voter Friendly Campus designation. The college also earned the designation in 2017-2018 and 2021-2022.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with our national and community partners to identify new ways of heightening student participation in the democratic process,” said Debra Ohlinger, Center for Community and Civic Engagement Program coordinator. “At MCC we are committed to ensuring our students become engaged and civically active members of the Mesa community.”

The mission of the Voter Friendly Campus project is to bolster efforts that help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process. To earn the designation, MCC campus representatives participate in training, develop and submit a campus plan encouraging students to register and vote and are evaluated on their ability to engage student voters in upcoming elections.

The MCC Center for Community and Civic Engagement provides many experiential and hands-on opportunities to students including service learning, student engagement options, federal work-study positions, community service and volunteerism, among others. For more information on community and civic engagement at MCC, visit mesacc.edu/community-civic-engagement.

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Media Contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 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 24,400 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.