Focused on Impact
As we approach our 60th anniversary in 2025, Mesa Community College continues to play a vital role in our community, embracing innovation in higher education. Our commitment to technological equity is evident as we expand our online class offerings, ensuring all students have access to quality education.
Our enrollment numbers are on the rise, reflecting a positive trend toward pre-COVID levels. MCC’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education - Dual Language and Bachelor of Applied Science in Data Analytics and Programming continue to surpass enrollment goals. Our dedicated retention efforts have successfully kept students engaged, culminating in a vibrant 2024 commencement ceremony.
Our mission is clear: we strive to create an inclusive and vibrant learning community where everyone is supported to achieve success. To achieve this, we remain focused on our three primary Strategic Directions:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that supports all students.
- Guided Pathways: We aim to enhance student experiences and outcomes through structured support and clear academic pathways.
- Workplace Excellence: We prioritize creating a supportive and enriching work environment for our staff and faculty.
Together, we are building a brighter future for our students and community.
Philanthropy: Increase in Donors and Scholarship Funds
We experienced a remarkable increase in both the number of donors and the amount of scholarship funds available during the past academic year. This growth in support has been crucial in making higher education accessible to more Thunderbirds. For many, the financial challenge of college can seem nearly impossible, but these scholarships are helping to turn their educational dreams into reality.
The continued support of our community is instrumental in bridging the financial gaps that can hinder students’ abilities to obtain an MCC education. Contributions to MCC open doors for students who might otherwise miss out on achieving their highest aspirations. We could not have reached these milestones without the generosity of community, alumni, faculty, and staff.
Thank you to everyone who has shown their trust in MCC through their generous contributions. Your commitment is making a significant difference in the lives of our students, and we deeply appreciate your ongoing dedication to our mission.
| Fiscal Year 2023* | Fiscal Year 2024** | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of student recipients | 988 | 1,759 |
| Total dollars awarded | $637,953 | $1,036,132.83 |
| Number of donors | 523 | 609 |
* Represents gifts, donors, and awards from July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
** Represents gifts, donors, and awards from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Higher Learning Commission Visit in 2025
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) will conduct a comprehensive evaluation visit of MCC on March 31 and April 1, 2025 as part of our college’s ten-year reaffirmation of accreditation.
Accreditation is a voluntary peer review process that helps colleges and universities assure and advance quality in their educational programs. Accreditation:
- Assures the quality and integrity of MCC's programs and services.
- Allows students to transfer credits to other accredited colleges and universities.
- Enables students to obtain financial aid and veteran's services.
- Empowers the college to participate in projects funded by federal grants.
- Assists the college with recruiting and retaining quality faculty and staff.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of seven regional accreditors in the United States. The HLC accredits degree-granting postsecondary educational institutions in the United States. The HLC is an institutional accreditor, accrediting the institution as a whole.
The Criteria for Accreditation are the standards of quality by which the HLC determines whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. The five criteria are:
- Mission
- Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
- Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
- Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
- Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness
Licensed Practical Nursing Program Launches
MCC added a Licensed Practical Nursing program in fall 2024—Fast Track Practical Nursing. The college received $1.3M from the Virginia Piper Charitable Trust, a portion of a $2.25M grant to support the expansion of LPN programs at three Maricopa Community Colleges—MCC, GateWay Community College, and Glendale Community College and $750K from the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation.
Approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Higher Learning Commission, the MCC Fast Track Practical Nursing program provides students with the theory and skills required to be a practical nurse in acute care, extended care, and intermediate care settings. It also includes patient care learning experiences in hospitals, nursing homes, and health care agencies. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
The Fast Track Practical Nursing program is part of the expanding Allied Health Department based at MCC’s Red Mountain Campus, which also includes training for careers in Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services, Health Care Technology Systems, and Paramedicine.
Dental Hygiene Program Earns Full Accreditation
MCC’s Dental Hygiene Program earned full accreditation through 2029 from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in late 2023. CODA, a specialized national accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, serves the public and dental professions by developing and implementing strict accreditation standards. These include promoting and monitoring the continuous quality and improvement of dental education programs, and are intended to reflect the information a student needs to know to function successfully within that profession.
A career as a dental hygienist is an in-demand position that forms a critical part of a dental team’s success. A path for a career in dental hygiene is offered at MCC with instructors who have actual experience and teach the essential skills and safety guidelines.
During an event each semester MCC Dental Hygiene students offer complimentary oral health screenings to eligible individuals at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health.
Proactive Graduation Benefits More Than 1,700 Students
MCC’s Innovation of the Year, Proactive Graduation, was a finalist for the Maricopa Community Colleges Innovation of the Year award sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College. The recognition highlights the innovative and impactful nature of our project and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our college and district team members who have contributed to this impactful project.
The Proactive Graduation project aims to accelerate student completion by graduating students who have met all academic requirements for a program of study without requiring them to complete a graduation application. This innovative approach has not only increased the value of the learning experience for our students but has also demonstrated our college's contribution to workforce development.
In the initial pilot phase, over 1,400 students received more than 2,000 certificates through proactive graduation. In this second year, Academic Certificates were included in addition to Certificates of Completion resulting in more than 2,406 certificates posted with 1,785 students receiving awards. Due to its success, proactive graduation has been included in the Maricopa Community Colleges’ System-wide Strategic Enrollment Management (SSEM) Plan as a priority to replicate through a district-supported process for all 10 colleges by Spring 2027.
MCC awards accounted for 21.6% of the total awards granted by all Maricopa Community Colleges in AY 2023-2024.
MCC remains committed to supporting students in earning certificates that reflect their academic achievements.
Statistical Snapshots (2020-2024)
Below you will find some statistical snapshots.
MCC Student Headcount
MCC Total Student Headcount (unduplicated)
MCC Graduates
Student Race and Ethnicity
Federal Financial Aid Awarded