The past academic year resulted in many dynamic partnerships that brought incredible opportunities to students and the community. In 2025-2026 we continued investing in facilities and programs designed to prepare students for a modern workforce that can positively impact local economies and connect residents with resources leading to academic options and job prospects.
- $322,290 Awarded to 502 Mesa College Promise students as enrollment skyrockets
Fall 2025
Collaborating with the City of Mesa and industry partners, MCC welcomed the fifth and largest group of students to receive two years of fully funded tuition and fees through the Mesa College Promise program. For the second consecutive year, the program included eligible Mesa residents 24 years of age and older.
Aligning with the American Medical Response Ambulance, Maricopa Ambulance and Grand Canyon University, MCC ensured that EMS students receive valuable experience preparing for real life emergency situations during the college’s annual Immersive Total Patient Management Experience simulation event. This was followed by an EMS Career Fair open to the public as well as students to explore career opportunities and networking.
We are profoundly grateful to these partners for their dedication, commitment and the indispensable roles they play in our shared success.
MCC’s longstanding workforce education partnership with Empire Southwest marked a milestone this year, graduating its largest cohort to date. Graduates earn an Associate in Applied Science degree and Caterpillar Dealer Service Technical credentials while collectively completing more than 46,000 hours of technical apprenticeship experience. MCC is the only Arizona college partnering in the ThinkBIG program with Empire Southwest.
Partnership with Mazda takes MCC Automotive Service program to higher level
Mazda North American Operations partnered with MCC to add innovative factory-level training to the college’s Automotive Service curriculum, giving students access to the latest Mazda technology, vehicles and service practices. The new Mazda Automotive Student Training program offers students a blend of online, classroom and hands-on instruction.
Mesa Community College invites community to free events during Arizona Tech Week
Dynamic, hands-on events, including a tour of MCC’s advanced manufacturing facilities, offered students and community members an inside look at how data and manufacturing are shaping the future of work. Organized by the Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Tech Week was Arizona’s first decentralized, statewide tech conference.
In partnership with Salt River Project, two Lowland Leopard Frog egg masses collected from the cienega habitat at MCC’s Red Mountain Campus were carefully translocated to a suitable habitat along Tonto Creek. For more than a decade, the MCC cienega has thrived as a conservation habitat and living laboratory preparing the next generation of environmental scientists.
With industry support, MCC expands Construction Trades program amid workforce shortage
MCC expanded its Construction Trades Program with a 1.5-acre, one-of-a-kind construction laydown yard, the first in the nation to be built at a community college, with support from construction industry partners. The new laydown yard resembles real construction yards used on building projects throughout Greater Phoenix.
