MESA, Arizona -- June 24, 2025 -- A new program offered to Mesa Community College (MCC) faculty to integrate global content into their courses, assists students in better developing the skills needed to be competitive in the world economy. MCC is one of only three colleges selected to participate in the training program.

The program is a partnership between Digital Promise, a global education nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner, and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). It offers select faculty members a $1,000 stipend, courtesy of the ECMC Foundation, to incorporate global content and skills into one of their existing courses.

Programming consists of four, one-hour virtual synchronous sessions per month and equips faculty members with strategies for incorporating global content into their courses to more actively engage students while still meeting required standards.

Due to the success of the pilot program introduced in 2024, the Digital Promise training program was extended into 2025. “MCC faculty who participated in Digital Promise found value in this professional development activity, so we chose to continue it another year,” said Michael Voss, MCC Dean of Instruction in Applied Sciences & Technology and Business and Computer Information Systems.

“MCC met the deliverables of the partnership with Digital Promise and many of the faculty who participated used what they learned to provide international context to one or more learning outcomes in their courses.”

Ten residential faculty members in the fields of Applied Sciences & Technology (Veterinary Technology and Sustainable Horticulture ), Art, Education and Computer Information Systems enrolled in the program in 2024.

Heather Singmaster, Director of Career and Technical Education at Digital Promise, noted, “We were really pleased with the outcomes from the training. The MCC faculty taking part in our project are teaching their international courses and embedding global content into additional courses as well.” Singmaster added that the new MCC bachelor’s degree in early childhood now has global content embedded in all 10 classes.

“The faculty who participated in the project reported that students were gaining key 21st century skills as a result of their engagement with the global content,” Singmaster added. “For example, some faculty identified critical thinking skills, perspective-taking skills, communication and empathy as some key takeaways for students. In addition, faculty noted that their overall teaching skills improved.”

Harmony Turley, an MCC faculty participant teaching marketing and the arts, explained that she created an entire module on global marketing dealing with how companies market internationally and how marketing can be tailored for a specific global audience.

Taking her experience in the program a step further, Turley is working with students at Universidad de Guanajuato in the Mexican state of Guanajuato on a joint art project focusing on a culturally sensitive design. She and her MCC students are collaborating on three walls of canvas art and will travel to Guanajuato to install the art they jointly created with their Mexican counterparts.

Other faculty who participated in the Digital Promise program continue to internationalize additional courses.

Megan Garvy, Faculty Director of MCC’s Center for Teaching and Learning, said that this initiative has allowed faculty to not only rethink course outcomes through a global lens, but also to collaborate internationally, enriching the learning experience for students. “Students in today’s workforce need to communicate, collaborate and compete globally. Programs like this ensure MCC graduates are prepared to thrive.”

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Media contacts:
Digital Promise: Heather Singmaster, 202-450-3675, hsingmaster@digitalpromise.org
MCC: Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu

Digital Promise shapes the future of learning and expands opportunity for every learner by bringing together solutions across research, practice, and technology. It is a global nonprofit working to expand opportunity for every learner. Working with a wide range of partners and practitioners in the U.S. and around the world. Visit digitalpromise.org to learn more.

The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a national organization that brings community college leaders together to address real-world challenges and help students succeed through advocacy and education. More at acct.org.

Mesa Community College (MCC), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary during 2025, is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving over 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. For nearly 60 years, MCC has been a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges. The MCC American Indian Institute supports students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education and training. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional lands of the O'odham, Piipaash, and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

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. MCCCD 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, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.