MESA, Arizona -- March 1, 2022 -- Two academically outstanding Mesa Community College students, Landon Kea and Brooklyn Shumway, received recognition for their extraordinary accomplishments and distinguished leadership during the 2022 All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony on Feb. 24.

Landon Kea, 2022 All-Arizona Academic Team honoree The virtual event, hosted and emceed by Ian Schwartz, meteorologist and reporter for KPHO-TV CBS 5 and KTVK-TV 3/AZFamily. The keynote speaker is Carmen Maldonado, a 2012 All-Arizona Academic Team recipient from Cochise College, who is currently the project coordinator for the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at the University of Arizona.

All-Arizona students demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual tenacity combined with leadership and service that expand their education beyond the classroom to benefit their communities and society. Each student works toward an associate’s degree, maintains a GPA of 3.5 or higher (4.0 scale) and is involved in campus and community volunteer activities.

Organizations such as Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs; the American Association of Community Colleges; Arizona Community Colleges; the Arizona Board of Regents and Follett Higher Education Group help these exceptional students reach their educational goals by awarding scholarships and issuing tuition waivers for Arizona’s three state universities: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona.

Brooklyn Shumway, 2022 All-Arizona Academic Team honoree Both Kea and Shumway are students at the MCC Southern and Dobson Campus. Kea, a full-time student who maintains a 3.9 GPA, is earning an Arizona General Education Associate’s degree, graduating in Spring 2022 and transferring to UA to pursue a degree in cybersecurity and a minor in management prior to pursuing a Juris Doctorate.

Kea’s career goals are to serve a diverse community as a lawyer in preparation for becoming a judge. Among other honors, Kea is vice president of leadership for the PTK Honors Society, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and is on the Dean’s List. His community endeavors include volunteer neighborhood cleanup, creating a “little library” free book exchange and becoming a United Food Bank ADA lead.

Also a full-time student, Shumway is a performing arts major in the MCC Honors Program with a 4.0 GPA with plans to transfer to ASU to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Filmmaking Practices. Her ultimate goal is to have a fulfilling, life-long career of directing, writing and acting in successful films that educate and inspire people around the world.

One of the projects in which Shumway became intensely involved was to help establish two Monarch butterfly way stations on MCC’s Southern and Dobson Campus. Working alongside faculty and students, she planted milkweed plants and guided drip lines to the plants which attract Monarchs as they migrate through Arizona. Shumway led the drive to document these efforts with photography and a documentary film which she directed. In addition, she is a member of the PTK Honors Society and is an advocate for mental health.

All-Arizona Academic Teams are judged in three rounds. First-round judges consist of local businesses and civic, education and government leaders. The second and third round judging occurs in Washington, D.C. by representatives from federal agencies and national education associations. Scores from the national competition determine each state team’s rankings. First team members each receive a $1,000 scholarship, second team members are each awarded a $750 scholarship and third team members each get a $500 scholarship from their respective community college.

All-Arizona Academic Team members are also eligible to be selected as one of 20 named to the All-USA Community College Academic Team, receiving an additional $5,000 scholarship, medallion, obelisk and certificate during the American Association of Community Colleges annual convention scheduled April 11-14 in Nashville, Tenn.

To learn more about the All-Arizona program, visit azregents.edu/programs/all-arizona-academic-team.

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NOTE: Team rankings were made available after this release was published. Landon Kea placed on the Second Team and Brooklyn Shumway on the Third Team.

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.

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 http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.