MESA, Arizona – Jan. 20, 2026 – Mesa Community College (MCC) proudly recognizes three students, Markus Hans Marti, Luis Miguel Ramirez and Paige Elizabeth Rosen, who were recently selected as recipients of the 2026 Southwest Veteran Scholarship Foundation (SWVF) award, a highly competitive honor supporting veterans and military-affiliated students pursuing higher education.

This year, five scholarships were awarded statewide, with three being from MCC, highlighting the strength, dedication and service-minded spirit of the college’s veteran community. Each MCC honoree received $1,500. 

Marti, a Gilbert resident and U.S. Navy veteran who served from 2011 to 2021, is studying nursing at MCC and is scheduled to graduate with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in May 2026. After relocating to Arizona four years ago, Marti worked in emergency medical services as an EMT, paramedic and EMS supervisor before stepping away from full-time EMS to focus on completing nursing school. Following graduation, he plans to begin his nursing career in the East Valley while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Arizona State University.

Glendale resident, Ramirez, is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 2003 to 2006 and is pursuing a degree in Data Analytics and Programming at MCC, with an expected graduation date of May 2027. Ramirez plans to secure a data analyst role where he can apply the technical skills and analytical concepts gained through his studies at MCC in a professional setting.

Rosen, also a Gilbert resident and U.S. Army veteran, is pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Programming and Data Analytics at MCC, with an anticipated graduation in May 2028. She intends to integrate her programming education into her personal life and the small business she owns with her husband, who also served in the U.S. Army.

The Southwest Veteran Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the charitable arm of the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce. The foundation is dedicated to supporting veterans, their families and the organizations that serve them.

Will Quiala, Chair of the Scholarship Committee who presented the awards, said “we are pleased to be able to support the educational pursuits of these great Veterans who have answered our nation’s call to duty, and are now pursuing a college education.”

MCC’s Veterans Services team works closely with military-affiliated students to provide academic support, resources and advocacy throughout their educational journeys.

“Our veteran and military-connected students bring leadership, resilience and a strong sense of purpose to our campus,” said Christina Fortner, MCC’s Veterans Affairs Student Services Manager. “We are proud of these students and thankful for SWVF’s continued partnership in helping remove financial barriers and support their educational goals.”

For more information about MCC’s Veterans Services program and available resources, visit mesacc.edu/veterans.

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Media contact: Drea Yazzie, quindrea.yazzie@mesacc.edu, 480-432-6077

Mesa Community College (MCC) is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving more than 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. MCC serves as 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, supporting 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, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu/newsroom.

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

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO 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.