T-BIRD MOMENTS OF 2025-26: RECORD-SETTING SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM AND ON THE SAND
The 2025-26 academic year showcased excellence across Mesa Community College, with Thunderbirds making history both in the classroom and in athletic competition.
Mesa Community College celebrated a record-setting graduating class in the Empire Southwest ThinkBIG apprenticeship program as 36 students earned Associate in Applied Science degrees while completing the highly competitive program. The 2026 class became the largest in the program's history, continuing a successful partnership between MCC and Empire Southwest that dates back more than two decades.
MCC remains the only Arizona college partnered with Empire Southwest, the Caterpillar dealer serving Arizona, Nevada and parts of southeastern California. Throughout the program, students combined classroom instruction, hands-on technical training and paid internships focused on advanced diesel technology, hydraulics, diagnostics and heavy equipment systems.
Collectively, the graduating class contributed more than 46,000 hours of technical apprenticeship experience while completing the program with zero recordable safety incidents, demonstrating both technical excellence and a commitment to workplace safety.
The accomplishment reflected Mesa Community College's continued commitment to preparing students for successful careers through industry partnerships while developing the next generation of skilled technicians.
That same pursuit of excellence was evident on the beach volleyball courts, where Brianna Anderson and Marley Avechuco delivered the most successful season by a pair in Thunderbird history.
The duo compiled a program-record 29 victories together, finishing the season 29-7 while helping Mesa record a program-best 21 team wins and a third-place finish at the NJCAA Beach Volleyball National Championships, tying the highest national finish in program history.
Throughout the season, Anderson and Avechuco established themselves as one of the nation's top pairings through their consistency, communication and ability to perform in key moments against elite competition.
Anderson's relentless defensive effort and competitiveness paired with Avechuco's versatility and offensive skill helped elevate the Thunderbird beach volleyball program to new heights while continuing to set the standard for future Mesa pairs.
Whether preparing students for successful careers or reaching historic milestones in athletic competition, the 2025-26 academic year highlighted Mesa Community College's commitment to excellence in every arena.
Click Here to view the article on Anderson & Avechuco's record.
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