First Lady to address Mesa Community College graduating class

May 11—First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will speak at Mesa Community College's commencement ceremony May 11.

"As a classroom teacher for more than 30 years, Dr. Biden is a long-time advocate for higher education, particularly community colleges," MCC said in a release. "While serving as First Lady, Dr. Biden has continued teaching English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has been a professor since 2009."

The First Lady in February 2023 visited MCC to highlight affordable community college programs like Mesa College Promise.

Over 540 students will participate in the commencement ceremony.

Interim President Dr. Kimberly Britt will also celebrate the accomplishments of more than 2,500 students who successfully met academic requirements to earn certificates of completion and associate degrees during the 2023-24 academic year.

"We are very honored that Dr. Biden will join us to celebrate this important day for our graduates and for the college," said Britt.

Themed "A Time to Remember and a Time to Celebrate", the ceremony includes MCC student performances. Adara Knelange will sing the National Anthem and pre- and post-event entertainment will be provided by MCC Disc Jockey Techniques students.

Other guest speakers include MCC alumna and state Rep. Lorena Austin, Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board President Susan Bitter Smith and Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales. Noemi Panza, a first-generation college student from Italy, is the Class Honors Speaker.

Panza, 22, a first-generation college student fell in love with Arizona a few years ago during a visit and eventually decided to pursue her studies here, finding MCC to be the perfect fit.

The college offered a variety of programs that piqued her interests, and the cost of education was reasonable compared to other colleges and universities.

The primary challenges she faced as a student in the U.S. were language barriers and time management. Although her first two months at MCC were a challenge because of the language adjustment and cultural adaptation, Panza "took every opportunity she could to practice her English language skills and immersed herself in American culture," the college said.

She plans to continue her study of organic chemistry and molecular biology at Grand Canyon University, with the goal of earning a doctorate and becoming a researcher. Studying at MCC was undeniably the best decision of my life," Panza said.

"Our faculty and staff congratulate these students who have reached this significant milestone in their lives, many of whom began their academic journey amid the pandemic," said Britt. "They should take tremendous pride in the courage it took to accomplish their goals."