Mesa Community College (MCC) has been named to the 2015 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in three categories: General Community Service, Economic Opportunity and Education.
“MCC, with strong roots in service-learning, civic participation and innovative teaching, has been honored by this recognition since its inception,” said Mesa Community College President Sasan Poureetezadi. “We remain committed to working with our local and national community to prepare students to be engaged and informed citizens through authentic experiences.”
Service-learning is offered in every discipline at MCC and is a required component of programs such as Administration of Justice, Computer Information Systems, Education and Social Work.
MCC students engaged in nearly 142,540 hours of service during the 12-month period covered in the 2015 Honor Roll recognition.
The college’s commitment to improving the quality of life of its off-campus community is exhibited through a tapestry of activities including service-learning projects with the Guanajuato Study Abroad Program and literacy outreach with Mesa elementary school children.
One of the ways MCC students chose to build economic independence, increase family stability and create a more sustainable and resilient community was through a campaign to raise awareness and empower change around the social and economic issues of human trafficking. The campaign included a community film screening of “Not My Life,” which was followed by facilitated discussion with faculty, victims and community members. Students also hosted presentations and participated in community-sponsored events on the issue.
MCC students improved the quality of developmental education programs through the coordination of in-class, peer-to-peer tutoring, which resulted in an 82 percent retention rate at the final week of class. The very successful “PASS: Math” program will be sustained by the MCC Math Department with support from MCC’s Center for Community and Civic Engagement.
“Our students consistently provide thousands of hours of service annually, benefitting those most in need in our community,” said Duane Oakes, faculty director, MCC Center for Community and Civic Engagement. “We are educated along with our students through our service to others.”
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and service, has administered the award since 2006 in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the American Council on Education, Campus Compact and the Interfaith Youth Core.
The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community challenges. As a result, more students are likely to pursue a lifelong path of civic engagement that achieves meaningful and measurable outcomes in their communities.
More information about the Honor Roll, including a full list of this year’s winners, is available at nationalservice.org.
