MESA, Ariz. -- Sept. 26, 2024 -- Richard Daniel, Ph.D., Mesa Community College president, was honored by the Pete C. Garcia Victoria Foundation with the Dr. Loui Olivas Distinguished Leadership in Higher Education Award on Sept. 25, 2024, at the Helios Education Foundation, 4747 N. 32nd St. Phoenix.
The award is named after Dr. Loui Olivas, a celebrated Professor Emeritus from Arizona State University and current Pete C. Victoria Foundation president. It celebrates exceptional administrators in higher education who have demonstrated excellence in their profession and have been ardent advocates for Latinx students, faculty and staff.
For more than 36 years, Dr. Daniel has held leadership positions on college campuses and with organizations to advance higher education for Arizonans. Previously president of South Mountain Community College, he was at Arizona State University for 15 years, led Alumni Relations and Special Projects at The University of Texas at El Paso and was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Education Forward Arizona and College Success Arizona.
From the mining town of Superior, Arizona, as a first generation college graduate, Dr. Daniel has a deeply personal understanding of the barriers underrepresented college students can face.
Dr. Daniel said, “I believe in the power of postsecondary education to transform lives, and I have made this my life's work. My career has been focused on championing efforts for students to access higher education opportunities.”
In announcing the awards, the Foundation posted, “Every September, we gather to recognize and honor ‘difference makers’ in our institutions of higher education. Our Founding President, Pete C. Garcia, clearly understood that when you have individuals who know how to push agendas and support educational programs that benefit our community, our students flourish. Each of this year’s award recipients exemplify, through their arduous work and accomplishments, why we continue with our annual Arizona Higher Education Awards Breakfast.”
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Media contact: Julie Ruiz, julie.ruiz@mesacc.edu
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.