Dec. 16 – Two Maricopa Community Colleges have been named to the 2014 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. Chandler-Gilbert (CGCC) and Mesa Community College (MCC) were selected among only 766 higher education institutions nationwide, and among only four in the State of Arizona. The recognition highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community challenges, and helps students pursue a lifelong path of civic engagement.
“Chandler-Gilbert Community College was built on a foundation of service to the community,” said CGCC President Linda Lujan. “Because of our outstanding service-learning faculty and staff, more than 3,800 students last year provided countless hours of service and have been enriched by their service-learning experiences. It is indeed an honor to continue to be recognized nationally for our dedication to this important work.”
“We are proud to continue to receive this designation since its inception," said Shouan Pan, MCC President. "MCC has a long-held tradition of promoting service-learning, civic engagement, and
innovative teaching. We are committed to preparing students to be engaged and informed citizens through real life experiences.”
College students make a significant contribution to their communities through volunteering and service, according to the most recent Volunteering and Civic Life in America report. In 2012, 3.1 million college students dedicated more than 118 million hours of service across the country — a contribution valued at $2.5 billion.
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, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the American Council on
Education, Campus Compact, and the Interfaith Youth Core.
“Service and higher education go hand in hand,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, in a news release. “These schools are inspiring young leaders to roll up their sleeves and work alongside community members to solve problems. By recognizing the institutions who are leading the way to achieve meaningful, measurable results for the communities they serve, we also highlight the vital role all colleges and universities play in addressing community challenges and placing more students on a lifelong path of civic engagement.”
More information on eligibility and the full list of Honor Roll awardees may be found at nationalservice.gov/HonorRoll.
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The Maricopa Community Colleges system includes 10 colleges – Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise\ Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale and South Mountain, two skill centers, and several satellite campuses and business/ industry, technical and customized training institutes. It also includes the Maricopa Corporate College, which delivers market-relevant, customized workforce solutions and education for students and employees in
virtually every industry sector. Through a strategic business partnership model, MCOR assesses workforce training needs and develops and delivers customized and integrated solutions to meet those needs throughout all levels of an organization. www.maricopa.edu.
The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.