TruWest Credit Union continues to strengthen its partnership with Mesa Community College and support students participating in the First Year Experience program.
The support includes in-kind financial literacy workshops for program participants and their parents and a $40,000 grant covering tuition and fees.
The MCC First Year Experience (FYE) is a year-long college program focused on providing first-year students with the services and support needed to successfully transition to college. Participants must have attended one of six high schools in the Mesa Public Schools system and may be first generation students or students in need of additional academic support in English, math and reading. TruWest’s continued generosity covers course fees and textbook scholarships for approximately 50 participating students during the 2021-2022 academic year.
“TruWest is dedicated to being an integral part of the success of our community,” said Gary Bernard, chief operations officer at TruWest Credit Union. “We’ve been involved with the First Year Experience since 2019 and have learned firsthand from the students how beneficial the program is to their successful transition to college -- especially when other family members haven’t experienced college. This is why we involve family members in the financial literacy workshops. Including the student’s support group gives additional aid and encourages the college experience.”
From Fall 2019 through Fall 2021 TruWest provided 179 FYE students with 239 scholarships, totally more than $73,680 and provided stipends for student leaders serving as FYE ambassadors.
“TruWest continues to be an amazing champion and benefactor for student success at MCC,” said MCC Director of Foundations for Student Success, Melissa Carpenter. “Their support provides stability for our students so they can focus on learning. We truly enjoy our partnership with TruWest and appreciate their continued commitment to our students and their dreams to achieve an MCC education.”
Learn more about the MCC First Year Experience at mesacc.edu.
