Mesa Community College (MCC) in Mesa, Arizona, is the largest of the 10 community colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, which is the largest community college district in the United States in terms of enrollment.
History
Mesa CC Overview - 2017 - Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona.
MCC was launched by Mart Godinez in 1963 as an extension branch of Phoenix College and was located at 809 W. Main Street in Mesa. There were 330 students registered for classes the first semester at Mesa Extension on September 11, 1963. Mesa students voted Hokams as the nickname for their athletic teams in 1964. Capital funds from the bond election in 1964 enabled Mesa Community College to purchase 120 acres, with an option to purchase an adjoining 40 acres, for the new campus at Dobson and Southern Roads in Mesa. On April 12, 1965 the Maricopa Junior College District Board named Mesa Community College and Glendale Community College as separate institutions from Phoenix College. Mesa Community College graduated its first class on its new campus in ceremonies May 29, 1968. In 1974, MCC’s mascot changed from Hokam to Thunderbird. Bar code technology came to the library in 1987 as part of a new automation system. Bar codes were assigned to every item in the library’s collection, and appeared on student ID cards for the first time.
Phase I construction began for Red Mountain Campus in 2000, which included four buildings: the Desert Willow Building (library & commons), Mesquite Building (student & administrative services), Palo Verde Building (classrooms & laboratories), and the Ironwood Building. (central plant). A groundbreaking ceremony was held in April, 2000.
Campus
The college has two comprehensive campuses and additional locations to serve students.
- Southern and Dobson, in southwest Mesa, Arizona (full-service)
- Red Mountain, in northeast Mesa (full-service)
- Mesa Downtown Center, near University Dr. and Center St.
The Arizona Gakuen School (アリゾナå¦åœ' Arizona Gakuen), a weekend supplementary Japanese school, holds its classes at the Mesa Community College Southern and Dobson campus. The school office is in Tempe.
Organization and administration
August 2016, Sasan Poureetezadi was named interim president of Mesa Community College. On April 2, 2018 Richard Haney was named president. He will assume office on July 1, 2018.
Academic profile
MCC offers more than 200 degrees, transfer, career and certificate programs. Areas of study include Agribusiness, Business, Bio Technology, Computer Science, Dental Hygiene, Electronics, Engineering, Fire Science, Mortuary Science, Nursing, Urban Horticulture and more. MCC is one of the largest transfer providers to ASU, while many programs prepare students for immediate entry to the job market. Traditional, online and hybrid courses provide flexibility for students. Additionally, MCC Community Education offers hundreds of non-credit classes providing opportunities for lifelong learning in the arts, technology, fitness and personal development for all age groups.
MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Student life
Sports
The college athletics teams are nicknamed the Thunderbirds.
Notable people
- Randy Bennett, St. Mary's Men's Basketball Head Coach
- Larvell Blanks, former MLB player.
- Hubie Brooks, former MLB player.
- Mike Brown, was NBA Coach of the Year in 2009.
- Bryan Caldwell, former NFL player.
- Dave Collins, former MLB player.
- Ralph Dickenson, former MLB player.
- Dave Farnsworth, American politician and a Republican member of the Arizona Senate representing District 16.
- Rod Gilbreath, former MLB player.
- Rick Grapenthin, former MLB player.
- Shea Hillenbrand, former MLB player.
- Kyle Kingsbury, wrestler and football player; current mixed martial artist for the UFC
- Barry Lersch, former MLB player.
- Albie Lopez, former MLB player.
- Jim Otten, former MLB player.
- Bob Pate, former MLB player.
- Ken Phelps, former MLB player.
- Danny Sanchez, head coach of the University of Colorado women's soccer team.
- Cody Saul, football player
- Greg Sparks, former MLB player.
- Michael Padilla, Musician.
- Clifford Starks, MMA competitor, in both Bellator and the UFC
- Vance Wilson, former MLB player
References
External links
- Maricopa Community Colleges