The T-Bird Times is a digital newsletter, which is published on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month by the Office of Student Life & Leadership. If you'd like to have your event or announcement included, please click this button to be directed to a Google Form

Submit Content Here

MCC Event Calendar

MCC Website

Student Life Center

Helpful Resources

MCC Athletics

Mesa Legend Newspaper

Congratulations Graduates!

Graduation is a time to pay tribute to each member of the graduating class. As students of Mesa Community College you have left, and will continue to leave, an indelible legacy of achievement and a tradition of excellence for generations to come.

Please join us at the May 2025 Commencement Ceremony so we may celebrate your academic accomplishments with your family and friends.

Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m., Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Desert Financial Arena | Arizona State University
600 East Veterans Way, Tempe, AZ 85281

Please review the information on our Graduation webpage to prepare for graduation.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENT LEADERS!

Student Life & Leadership proudly honored outstanding student leaders from both the Red Mountain and Southern & Dobson campuses during the Red Mountain Summit Awards on April 23 and the Thunderbird Leadership Awards on April 24. Faculty and staff nominated students in recognition of their hard work and commitment to their academic pursuits and extracurricular activities.

Students were celebrated for their contributions to Mesa Community College, including:

Involvement in clubs and organizations
Participation in student-led events
Classroom leadership
Making a positive impact in various aspects of college life.

Additionally, during the Thunderbird Leadership Awards, we presented awards to MCC clubs for their achievements.

Thor’s Community Impact Award
Winner: EdRising Club
ASMCC Student Leadership Award
Winner: Isaiah Lipsey, Art Club
Club Advisor of the Year
Winner: Professor Dilshad Haleem, Computer Science Club
Winner: Dr. Lewis Obermiller, MCC Pre-Med Club
Club President of the Year
Winner: Cheearra Esquerra, Math Club
Winner: Sebastian Goss, EdRising Club
Club of the Year
Winner: MCC Pre-Med Club

We extend our sincere gratitude to Andrea Sanchez, Emma Thadani, Stephanie Marquez and Alejandra Maya from the Center for Community and Civic Engagement for their support in organizing and coordinating the Thunderbird Leadership Awards. Additionally, we would like to thank Grand Canyon University for their generous sponsorship of the reception preceding the awards ceremony. Lastly, a special shout-out to the MCC Jam Club for their lively and invigorating music that got everyone up and dancing!

Take a moment to view photos from the Red Mountain Summit Awards and the Thunderbird Leadership Awards. Let’s celebrate and congratulate our MCC student leaders. Great job, Thunderbirds!

Red Mountain Summit Award Nominees

Thunderbird Leadership Award Nominees

Paramedic Program Applications NOW OPEN!

Students are chosen for our Paramedic Program through a competitive selection process. Student interviews are being held in May 2025 for the Fall 2025 semester.

Application Requirements

All applicants must have a current and valid EMT AZ State certification.
Two years of verifiable EMT experience OR successful completion of the Pre-Paramedic classes, PME190 & PME191 (highly suggested these classes are taken concurrently)
Score of at least 70% on the Paramedic Entrance Exam
Current and valid CPR-BLS certification
Clean drug screening

Program application information can be found at the MCC Paramedic website.

Celebrating 60 years of MCC

Let the celebration begin! Mesa Community College is celebrating its diamond anniversary in 2025, marking six decades of student success, academic growth, and community impact.

Commemorating this milestone, MCC has launched a dedicated website, mesacc.edu/60, featuring historical photos, success stories, and information about upcoming anniversary events and activities.

Throughout the 2025 calendar year, we invite you to continue to celebrate the 60th Anniversary and participate in honoring our legacy in the community.

Throwback Thorsday 3/21/25

This Throwback Thorsday we go back to March 20, 1964 when the Cub Reporter became the Hokam Legend! In the same year, Mesa students voted Hokams as the official name for the athletic teams. The name pays tribute to the strength and wisdom of the Indigenous Hohokam people, who once lived in the Salt River Valley.

Fun fact: The MCC school newspaper, now known as The Mesa Legend, has gone through several title changes since its first issue in 1963. Here's a look at its evolution:

Mesa College Campus Extension Bulletin (9/1963-10/1963)
The Cub Reporter (10/1963-3/1964)
Hokam Legend (12/1964-5/1973)
The Legend (8/1973-5/1974)
Bullsheet (official campus newspaper of the night students of MCC) (1/1975-5/1977)
The Legend (8/1976-5/1977, ran concurrently with Bullsheet)
The Legend/Bullsheet combo (8/1977-9/1978)
The Legend and Bullsheet published separately on alternate weeks (9/1978-10/1979)
The Mesa Legend (11/1979-present)

Keep up to date with news prepared by our student journalists at mesalegend.com

Throwback Thorsday 4/10/25

This Throwback Thorsday we go back to April 12, 1965 - a day that marked the beginning of a new chapter in Arizona's educational story. On that Monday, Mesa Community College and Glendale Community College officially stepped out from under the wing of Phoenix College, becoming independent institutions within the Maricopa Junior College District. Dr. John D. Riggs took the helm as Executive Dean of MCC, alongside Dr. Theo Heap, Keith Breon and Jinnett Kirk.

From humble beginnings to a thriving campus, it all started here. Learn more about our legacy at mesacc.edu/60.

Throwback Thorsday 4/17/25

This Throwback Thorsday we go back to 1978, when the MCC Theatre, previously the Theatre Outback, first opened its doors! Built for $1.1 million on the south side of campus, it quickly became the heart of our Theatre Arts program - hosting hundreds of student performances and even a presidential visit. Fast forward to 2012, a $2 million renovation brought the space into the modern era, giving our students access to cutting-edge technology and professional training for careers in arts and entertainment. From its humble beginnings to today's high-tech performances, the MCC Theatre continues to shine - and the stage is set for another incredible show, "The Imaginary Invalid," by Molière which opens April 25. Reserve your seats today at mesacc.edu/arts/go/kvz.

ONGOING PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND EVENTS

We are always grateful for donations to the Mesa Market! Feel free to drop off your donations to the Mesa Market at either campus.

We Care Wednesday is a fresh food distribution that takes place on the first and third Wednesday of each month at Southern and Dobson and Red Mountain respectively. Click here for the dates and time of each distribution.

MESA MARKET

FOOD & HYGIENE PRODUCTS FOR STUDENTS

The Mesa Market is a food and hygiene pantry for MCC students. Any student is eligible to visit the Mesa Market for food and hygiene products for free. Hours may vary throughout the semester. Please call for specifics.

Southern and Dobson Campus

The Mesa Market at Southern/Dobson campus is located in KSC 35S, and can be reached at 480-461-7948

Red Mountain Campus

The Mesa Market at Red Mountain is located in Palo Verde 111, and can be reached at 480-654-7775.

Astronomy Nights at MCC

MCC Astronomy Nights are held on the first Friday of the month during February, March, April, & May and September, October, November, & December. Cost is $6 per person, with some free family shows found at this link.

MCC Astronomy Nights include planetarium shows and telescope viewing. Planetarium shows occur rain or shine, but telescope viewing of the night sky is only offered when the sky is clear.

Planetarium shows run from 5:00-10:00 PM, with shows starting every hour.

Shows begin again in September!

Click here to visit the Fitness Center website

MCC Fitness Center Memberships

Did you know you can sign up for a membership to the MCC Fitness Centers? They provide membership access to students, employees, and the community, and a membership gives you access to both the Southern and Dobson and the Red Mountain campus fitness centers. Membership includes cardio and strength training equipment, fitness tools/accessories, access to drop in group fitness classes, free personal training, knowledgeable staff, day use lockers, clean facilities, and no crowds!

Students = $50 per semester or $25 for half semester
Employees = $30 per semester or $15 for half semester

Also available: Community Ed memberships, PED 101/PED 115 classes for credit and a variety of fitness classes. Visit the Fitness Center website for a schedule and more information.

For a FREE ONE DAY guest pass to the MCC Fitness Center, click this link.

Follow the Student Life Instagram for your chance to win Thorsday prizes! @mccthunderbirds

What is THORSDAY?

Thor the Thunderbird is the MCC mascot.
The Thunderbird is a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture.
Thursday, "Thor's day" is named after the hammer-wielding Norse god of thunder, strength, & protection...THOR.
Therefore, Thursdays at MCC are now know as THORSDAY!

Wear your favorite Thunderbird gear every Thorsday, greet your friends with "Happy Thorsday," and find your own ways to celebrate your Thunderbird pride. Do you have your Thorsday shirt? Stop by Student Life!

For more information on Student Life, visit our website.

STUDENT LIFE & LEADERSHIP

Student Life is here to help you GET ENGAGED and GET CONNECTED at MCC.

Clubs & ASMCC Student Government
Campus Events
MCC Spirt (Thorsday!)
Leadership training
Multicultural Event Programming
Services such as free scantrons and discounted bus passes

Getting involved makes a HUGE difference in your MCC experience. Check out Student Life for more information on these opportunities. Visit us in KSC 35S at the SoDo campus or in Mesquite 210 at Red Mountain, or check out our Virtual Student Life Center for more information.

Click here to return to the MCC Student Life Center

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.

Page updated

Report abuse