This year marks a significant milestone for early childhood education in Arizona. Maricopa Community Colleges proudly celebrates the first early childhood education graduates from the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education – Dual Language program at Mesa Community College. This program is a game-changer for Arizona’s early childhood professionals.
A new path for working professionals in early childhood education
Mesa Community College is one of only two community colleges in Arizona offering a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. The program is designed specifically for working adults who are passionate about teaching young children. With flexible options like online and fast-track classes, students can balance school, work, and family more easily. Along the way, they can also earn stackable credentials and an associate degree.
Of the 15 early childhood education graduates in the inaugural cohort, 11 received First Things First college scholarships at some point during their studies. These scholarships help cover the cost of tuition, books, and fees, making it possible for scholars to focus on learning instead of finances.
A story of dedication, support, and community impact
One graduate, Nichole Dominguez, shared how important that support was to her success:
“I help pay for college for two of my children, so I wouldn’t have been able to afford school without the First Things First Scholarship. I’ve also told others about these amazing opportunities.”
Now that she has completed her degree, she’s ready to give back:
“I want to help other early childhood educators and share what I’ve learned. We don’t just teach—we help shape our communities.”
Celebrating Graduates Statewide
While we celebrate the achievements of the Mesa Community College graduates, want to give a big shout-out to all early childhood education graduates across Arizona! Whether you earned your degree through your local community college, university, or another program, your hard work is making a real difference in the lives of young children and their families.
At First Things First, our vision is that all Arizona’s children are ready to succeed in school and in life. Your hard work brings us closer to that goal. We are proud to be part of your journey and can’t wait to see what you do next.
Congratulations to all 2025 early childhood education graduates in Arizona!
Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Mesa Community College Residential Faculty, Dr. Annapurna Ganesh and Dr. Jamie Theresa Lopez, for their insights and support in sharing accurate program information for this article.