East Valley Institute of Technology and Mesa Community College recently celebrated the success of the 11 students graduating from high school with a diploma and a certificate of completion in early childhood education from MCC.

EVIT offers a unique program for high school students in early childhood education that allows them to earn a 19-credit certificate of completion from Mesa Community College in Foundations of Early Childhood Education – while still attending high school, according to a release.

“This is a dream come true, our collaborative efforts over the last two years has led to the success of our first successful cohort,” said Annapurna Ganesh, program director of Early Childhood Education at MCC, “I am proud of the can-do spirit of Mrs. Paula Corbin, EVIT ECE teacher, my colleagues in the ECE program and the MCC Early College and Cashier’s Office for their continued efforts to ensure the success of the EVIT-MCC ECE partnership. We are very grateful for the funding from the Arizona Department of Economic Services with the Pathways scholarship for the students.”

The program is offered through dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment at MCC. Funding from the Professional Career Pathways Scholarship Program pays for the students’ college tuition, fees and textbooks.

First-year ECE students focus on early childhood philosophy, childhood development, career opportunities and current issues in safety, health, nutrition, and curriculum development.

Second-year ECE students participate in a lab setting and focus on child guidance techniques, family dynamics, observation/assessment, advanced curriculum development and classroom management.

After completion, students are able to further their education if they want to be a teacher, social worker, nurse or child care worker. The certificate is valuable for anyone wanting to work with children.

“We are pleased that EVIT’s partnership with Mesa Community College has resulted in this great opportunity for our students,” said EVIT Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson. “Earning their MCC certificate while still in high school puts them in an even better position to become employed or continue with more post-secondary training after leaving EVIT.”

“We are excited that this EVIT-MCC partnership is continuing to grow and in the near future, beginning in Fall 2023 (pending approval) we will have the opportunity for the students to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education - Dual Language from MCC,” said Jamie Lopez, MCC Early Childhood Education faculty.

EVIT is enrolling students in the Early Childhood Education program for the 2022-23 school year. To start the process, visit www.evit.com/enroll. Learn about the MCC Early Childhood Education degree and certificate programs at mesacc.edu/programs/early-childhood-education.