MESA, Arizona --October 2, 2024 -- Three Mesa Community College (MCC) adjunct faculty - Brigitte Bavousett, Anthony Gardea and Ray Gless - earned Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Awards from the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and its Adjunct Faculty Group.

“The faculty at MCC are renowned for their expertise and dedication to engaging with students,“ said MCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Joanne Russell, Ph.D. “Our adjunct faculty often bring their real-world experience in research and their fields. It offers our students a cutting-edge education as well as networking opportunities.”

Faculty, college leadership, staff and students nominate candidates for the Outstanding Adjunct award by detailing their contributions in areas such as innovative teaching, student testimonies, collaboration across the college and promoting diversity. The Outstanding Adjuncts were recognized at a ceremony at the end of the spring 2024 semester.

An adjunct faculty member in the MCC Cultural Science Department, Brigitte Bavousett has taught Sustainable Cities and Sustainable World classes at the college since 2011 as well as teaching sustainability courses at Arizona State University. At MCC she developed and led seven study abroad courses, focusing on sustainable development goals in Cuba, Costa Rica, Singapore, Belize and Ecuador. Students remarked how much they value her global perspectives on how other countries approach sustainability. She supports and mentors MCC students as they continue their studies at universities.

Cited in her nominations was her wealth of knowledge and experiences cross-culturally that she applies in her instruction to expose students to the principles of sustainability. Bavousett also devotes time to work with Honors students interested in engaging in a deeper exploration of sustainability. She developed and hosted the Zoom speaker sessions for the 2021 MCCCD Earth Forward event, continuing to volunteer and provide support annually.

Anthony Gardea, a professional animator working in the field and on major television shows while teaching his craft at MCC, devotes hours outside the classroom to students, connecting them with real-world scenarios. He is nationally recognized and has been interviewed by the Village Voice for his film work that includes Cosmos and Duncanville at FOX; Tigtone for Cartoon Network; Midnight Gospel for Netflix as well as HarmonQuest; and Furry Freakbrothers. His collaboration with animation studios creates internship opportunities for his students. The animations students create in the classroom are ideal for what is required to submit for jobs in the industry.

One nominator pointed out that Gardea decided to run his class like a real animation studio and it was an enormous hit. Volunteers from his beginning animation class worked as a group to produce an animated short. The film is intended to be used to send to animation festivals, which will also showcase MCC’s animation program worldwide. After the students' shots were completed, Gardea meshed their shots together with sound for the final film.

MCC Agribusiness adjunct faculty Ray Glees is also the Career and Technical Education director and Technology and Media coordinator for the Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center, coordinating the school’s Agriscience and Agribusiness operations and technical and media operations development. Gless has extensive experience in innovative learning environments.

A colleague shared that Glees actively engages students in the learning process by providing current business examples and encouraging critical thinking. He organized the creation of a module in Global Agribusiness, empowering students to explore international trade, presenting their research as e-posters.

Patricia Guillen, director of Instructional Services at the Maricopa Center for Learning & Innovation, said of faculty receiving the awards, “Those nominated are adjuncts who exemplify excellence in course delivery, foster engaging discussions, challenge their students and demonstrate exceptional support for their college and extended community.”

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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.