T-BIRD MOMENTS OF 2025-26: MESA COLLEGE PROMISE BILLBOARDS UNVEILED, CARVEL JACKSON'S LEGACY HONORED
Mesa Community College celebrated a major investment in student success with the unveiling of new Mesa College Promise billboards in a ceremony a the Southern and Dobson campus on August 13, 2025.
The digital billboards, created through a partnership between Mesa Community College, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, and the City of Mesa, are expected to generate approximately $400,000 annually to support the Mesa College Promise program. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has provided tuition assistance to more than 800 Mesa residents, removing financial barriers and expanding access to higher education through community partnerships.
Another memorable moment came at John D. Riggs Stadium as Mesa Community College Track & Field hosted the inaugural Carvel Jackson Memorial Track & Field Showcase, honoring one of the most influential coaches in program history.
Jackson guided the Thunderbirds to six NJCAA national championships, produced 89 All-Americans, and coached a national champion in every track and field event during his 29-year career at Mesa.
The inaugural meet featured several standout performances, including Holden Bundy's personal-best 60.70-meter javelin throw, Maleah Tucker's personal record in the hammer, Deng Majak's national qualifier in the 800 meters, and Lucy Melzer's school-record 4:37.97 in the 1,500 meters. Katie Munoz, Kinley Jackson, and Cal Schnepf also posted national qualifying performances.
"Extremely proud and honored to have named the meet after coach Jackson, and that we were able to have the family in attendance," head coach Daniel Pescador said. "It was our first large invitational home meet in years, and it was fitting to name it after Coach Jackson. It was a huge success and very competitive meet."
From expanding educational opportunities for future students to honoring one of the program's greatest builders, these moments reflected Mesa Community College's continued commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics.
Click here to view the billboard article.
Click here to view the Carvel Jackson meet article.
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