The Mesa College Promise, which offers complimentary tuition to Mesa Community College for high school students, broadened its reach on February 13th to encompass adult learners and leverage the program’s resources.
During Mesa’s 2024 State of the City address, Mayor John Giles unveiled this expansion, highlighting the enduring commitment of the Mesa College Promise to enhancing access to higher education.
Giles emphasized Mesa’s tradition of creating pathways from high school to career opportunities or advanced education, acknowledging the challenges many face in navigating this transition.
In a collaborative effort in 2020, the city of Mesa and MCC introduced two years of tuition-free education at Mesa Community College for graduating high school students in the Mesa area who may otherwise have difficulty affording college.
Celina Salinas from MCC recruitment explained that the program offers financial assistance to students demonstrating financial need, particularly those who do not qualify for sufficient federal aid (FAFSA) or other scholarships to cover tuition costs.
Mayor Giles shared the inspiring story of Lily Hernandez, whose journey through the Mesa College Promise led her to pursue an Associate’s degree in construction management, motivating her father to pursue higher education at MCC as well.
Highlighting the program’s success, Giles mentioned Lily’s father as an example of the many adults in Mesa seeking to enhance their skills and educational qualifications.
The Mesa College Promise program opened its first round of applications for adult learners on March 1 for the fall 2024 semester at MCC.
Adults eligible for the Mesa College Promise initiative must be residents of Mesa aged 24 or older, possess a high school diploma or GED, demonstrate financial need, and have no prior college experience, as outlined by Salinas in the employee communication.
Qualified adult learners are required to enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours at MCC as certificate or degree-seeking students.
Mayor Giles has integrated the Mesa College Promise into his educational agenda for Arizona, underlining its significance in providing accessible education.
During the address, Giles announced a $100,000 contribution to the Mesa College Promise from Google, adding to the roster of partner organizations such as Apple, Boeing, SRP, and Verizon who have also pledged their support.