Sharing a commitment to the college, the esteemed President’s Advisory Council, composed of elected officials, education and industry partners, alumni, donors and leaders in the community, contribute robust ideas, valuable resources and an unwavering dedication to quality education and opportunities to help students on successful career paths.
- 5,677+ Community service hours contributed annually by students
MCC students continue to be nationally recognized for their community engagement: Celeste Whiterock, 2025-2026 Newman Civic Fellow for outstanding leadership potential and a commitment to creating positive change in her community, and Leonardo Warnick, one of only 168 students nationwide selected for the 2026 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll.
Additional activities supporting student, college and community partnerships occurred in the 2025-2026 academic year. These included the Dental Hygiene program event to deliver dental education and oral care to groups with limited access to traditional dentistry and the annual Art Department-sponsored Empty Bowls event to address hunger, which raised more than $8,000 for Paz De Cristo Community Center.
MCC was one of eight institutions nationwide to receive a $5,000 Catalyst Grant from Second Nature, to expand student research opportunities and enhance community engagement through its greenhouse, wildflower gardens and Monarch Waystations.
Explore, experiment and discover at MCC's STEAM Night
STEAM Night, an interactive event designed to spark curiosity in science, technology, engineering, art and math, brought faculty, staff and community members together for hands-on activities, including close-up encounters with critters and a planetarium show.
Mesa Community College hosts Mesa City Council candidate forum
MCC's Center for Community and Civic Engagement hosted a nonpartisan Mesa City Council Candidate Forum for Districts 4 and 5, enabling residents to connect with local candidates, learn about key issues and become informed voters.
Mesa Community College hosts 12th annual Festival of the Arts
MCC’s 12th annual Festival of the Arts featured music, dancing, poetry, storytelling, visual arts and theater. Students gained valuable real-world experience showcasing, performing and selling their work.
Mesa Community College celebrates Earth Week
During Earth Week, MCC hosted nature activities, a clothing swap, recycling workshops and the second annual "Trash-ure Hunt." More than 40 participants sorted 40 bags of trash, discovering that over half was actually recyclable. MCC also partnered with Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology (AZStRUT) to offer an on-campus eWaste Collection Bin, making it easier for the community to recycle old electronics responsibly.
Mesa Community College hosts inaugural Thunderbird Marching Classic
MCC and the Arizona Marching Band Association’s inaugural Thunderbird Marching Classic featured 21 high school bands from across the state, showcasing outstanding student talent while raising more than $12,000 to significantly reduce registration costs and expand access to MCC’s Summer Music Camp, marking the camp’s return for the first time since 2019.
Mesa Community College sponsors 28th annual Model United Nations Conference
MCC’s Political Science Program welcomed 400 high school students to campus for the Model UN conference. The annual event helps students build critical leadership and debate skills.
Mesa Community College hosts “The Art of Conflict: Turning Tension into Transformation”
The Psychology Department hosts evening lectures for students and community members each semester to provide exposure to renowned speakers on a variety of topics. The featured lecture this year was “The Art of Conflict: Turning Tension into Transformation,” presented by Licensed Clinical Social Worker Travis Webb.
Exhibit showcases collaboration between MCC students and Phoenix artists
MCC art students participated in a three-month mentorship and collaboration project with established artists from the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center culminating in a public exhibition showcasing original art pieces.
Rooted in Relations: Authenticity and the Power of Indigenous Sovereignty
More than 25 artists spanning contemporary and traditional mediums showcased their work in the “Rooted in Relations: Authenticity and the Power of Indigenous Sovereignty” exhibit in the MCC Art Gallery. The exhibition celebrated interconnection, strength and sovereignty that flows from Indigenous relationships with land, language, culture and community.
