EXPLORING-STEM-DEGREES-AMP-CAREERS-AT-MCC.PDF

Last updated: 04/03/2018
General information
Organization Maricopa County Community College District Foundation
Contact First name Barbara
Contact Last name Roberts
Contact e-mail barbara.roberts@domail.maricopa.edu
Contact phone number 4807318417
Address
Street 2419 W 14th St.
City Tempe
State AZ
ZIP Code 85281
From what tribe is the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
organization requesting the
grant?
Total grant amount request 10,000
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infernal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
P.O Box 2608
Cincinnati, OH 45201
Person to Contact:
Doe; August 6, 2003 Cassandra Jackson 31.07417
Customer Service Representative
Maiicopa County Community College District foundation Toll Free Telephone Number:
2419 West litth Street 8:00 a m tu0:30 pJn EST
Tempe, AZ 85281-6941 877.829-5500
Fax Number:
513-263-3756
Federal Identification Number:
86.0327449
Dear Sir or Madam:
This Is in response to your request of July 7, 2003 regarding your organization's tax-exempt status
In April 1977 we issued a determination letter that recognized your organization as exempt from federal
income tax Our records Indicate that your organization is currently exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code
Based on information subsequently submitted, we classified your organization as one that is not a private
foundation within the meaning of section 509(a) of the Code because it Is an organization described in
section(s) 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
This classification was based on the assumption that your organization's operations would continue as stated
in the application If your organization's sources of support; or its character, method of operations, or
purposes have changed, please let us know so we can consider the effect of the change on the exempt status
and foundation status of your organization
Your organization is required to file Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, only it its
gross receipts each year are normally more than $25,000 If a return is required, it must be flied by the 15th
day of the fifth month after the end of the organization's annual accounting period. The law imposes a penalty
of $20 a day, up to a maximum of $10,000, when a return is filed late, unless there Is reasonable cause for the
delay
All exempt organizations (unless specifically excluded) are liable for taxes under the Federal Insurance
Contributions Act (social security taxes) on remuneration of $100 or more paid to each employee during a
calendar year Your organization Is not liable for the tax imposed under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act
(FIJTA)
Organizations that are not private foundations are not subject to the excise taxes under Chapter 42 of the
Code, However, these organizations are not automatically exempt from other federal excise taxes.
Donors may deduct contributions to your organization as provided In section 170 of the Code Bequests,
legacies, devises, transfers, or gifts to your organization or for its use are deductible for federal estate and gift
tax purposes if they meet the applicable provisions of sections 2055, 2106, and 2522 of the Code

-2-
Maricopa County Community Collage District Foundation
86-0327449
Your organization is not required to file federal Income tax returns unless it Is subject to the tax on unrelated
business Income under section 511 of the Code If your organization is subject to this tax, it must file an
Income tax return on the Form 990• ,T, Exempt Organization business Income Tax Return in this letter we are
not determining whether any of your organization's present or proposed activities are unrelated trade or
business as defined in section 513 of the Code
Section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to make your organization's annual return available
for public Inspection without charge for three years after the due date of the return The law also requires
organizations that received recognition of exemption on July 15, 1987, or later, to make available for public
inspection a copy of the exemption application, any supporting documents and the exemption letter to any
individual who requests such documents In person or in writing Organizations that received recognition of
exemption before July 15, 1987, and had a copy of their exemption application on July 15, 1987, are also
required to make available for public inspection a copy of the exemption application, any supporting
documents and the exemption letter to any individual who requests such documents in person or in writing
For additional Information on disclosure requirements, please refer to internal Revenue Bulletin 1999 - 17
Because this letter could help resolve any questions about your organization's exempt status and foundation
status, you should keep it with the organization's permanent records
if you have any questions, please call us at the telephone number shown in the heading of this letter
This letter affirms your organization's exempt status
Sincerely,
John E RickettS, Director, TE/GE
Customer Account Services

Mesa Community College
Exploring STEM Degrees & Careers
1. Project Description (New Project)
Mesa Community College (MCC) proposes a new project that encourages low-income, underrepresented
groups of students to pursue degrees and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) fields. Exploring STEM Degrees & Careers will provide opportunities for students to learn more
about STEM degrees/careers and to interact with STEM faculty, peers, and professionals in the
community, so the participants can gain STEM education/career perspectives. The interaction will also
help them build a critical network for success at college and beyond. The project will host a series of
workshops, campus tours, and community forums for college students, high school students, junior high
school students, and their family members.
 Workshops: A series of workshops will teach students about STEM education and career
opportunities.
 Campus Tours: Campus tours to help students learn more about STEM education programs at
MCC.
 Community Forums: Campus forums will allow students, teachers, and community members to
discuss issues affecting STEM fields. There will be keynote speeches, panel discussions, and
student presentations.
A project team will implement the proposed activities. Ms. Melissa Turnbull, MCC Student Success
Center Manager, will lead organizing the project’s activities by working closely with STEM-related
departments, including Life Science, Physical Science, Mathematics, and Business & Information
Systems, and Community Outreach Office. Community partners, such as Mesa Public Schools (MPS),
will participate. MCC requests $10,000 from FMYN in support of the project.
2. Project Purpose (Educational Attainment & Workforce Development)
Exploring STEM Degrees & Careers’ purpose is to increase the number of students who pursue degrees
in STEM education and eventually enter STEM careers. This project meets Fort McDowell’s funding
priorities by addressing the community’s educational attainment and workforce development needs.
Student participants will be encouraged to pursue a degree and enter STEM careers. By partnering with
local high schools, MCC will help high school students to make more informed decisions on their
academic and career paths. They will learn about student support services and resources available at
college for student success. Interactions with faculty, staff, and peers will decrease fear and stimulate an
interest in going to college after high school graduation.
MCC’s STEM-related departments will work collaboratively to develop workshop curriculum,
instructional materials, and campus tour itineraries. Community partners, such as Boeing, Apple, and
TGen, will make in-kind contributions to the project’s activities by providing guest speakers for
community forums, whose work experience will help students understand STEM careers. Fort
McDowell’s funding will help bring nationally known speakers to the forums. For example, Mr. Fredi
Lajvardi, a high school STEM educator, could inspire participants with a success story about how he
transformed a group of high school students into a national champion robotic team.
3. Project Needs, Targeted Population, & Estimated Number of Participants
Arizona is at-risk because there are not enough high school graduates to meet future workforce needs.
According to the Morrison Institute of Public Policy (2016), “Arizona’s low high school graduation rate
contributes to the skills gap as an increasing percentage of entry-level jobs will require at least a high
school diploma” (p.6). More jobs will require a high school diploma or a postsecondary education degree
in the future. Arizona needs to develop a more educated and highly skilled labor force, especially in
STEM fields. Building community partnerships among high schools, community colleges, universities,
and industries is essential to raising awareness, recruiting high school students into STEM programs, and
developing more rigorous, accelerated courses/programs, internships, and career pathways. Creating
career pathways helps identify the knowledge, training, and work experience needed to enter high demand
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Mesa Community College
Exploring STEM Degrees & Careers
occupations and necessary to serve individuals with wide-ranging educational backgrounds, work
experience, and skill levels more effectively.
The project’s target population includes low-income, underrepresented groups of students, including
Hispanic, African American, and Native American students, students with disabilities, and students who
speak English as a second language, because these students have lower retention, completion, graduation,
and transfer rates than White and Asian students at MCC. Also, these groups of students are less
academically proficient than other groups at Mesa Public Schools, our feeder schools (see Table 1).
Table 1: Percentages of students who are proficient or above in English Language Arts (10th
grade), Geometry, Algebra II, and Science (10th grade) in Mesa Public Schools.
ELA Science
Test/Level Geometry Algebra II
(10th grade) (10th grade)
All 33% 34% 43% 39%
White 45% (+12%) 46% (+12%) 53% (+10%) 55% (+16%)
Asian 53% (+20%) 69% (+35%) 61% (+18%) 45% (+6%)
African American 22% (-11%) 15% (-19%) 26% (-17%) 29% (-10%)
Hispanic/Latino 20% (-13%) 18% (-16%) 29% (-14%) 26% (-13%)
Native American 16% (-17%) 20% (-14%) 30% (-13%) N/A
Economically Disadvantaged 21% (-12%) 23% (-11%) 31% (-12%) 31% (-8%)
English Language Learners 3% (-30%) 9% (-25%) 6% (-37%) 4% (-35%)
Students w/Disabilities 5% (-28%) 4% (-30%) 40% (-3%) 23% (-16%)
Data Source: Arizona Department of Education Arizona Report Cards (2015)
The project will encourage these groups of students to be successful at college and beyond. The proposed
project will serve approximately 1,000 participants (45 x 6 workshops = 270; 120 x 2 tours = 240; 245 x 2
forums = 490), including students, parents, teachers, and community members.
4. Project Partnerships & Other Funding Sources
In the proposed project, MCC plans to partner with Mesa Public Schools (MPS). MCC’s academic
advisors are housed at all MPS high schools. The advisors will help high school students to learn about
the project’s activities. MCC plans to request STEM education grants from the U.S. Department of
Education, National Science Foundation, private foundations, and other tribal communities for the
project’s activities.
5. Timeline
MCC anticipates that the project will be implemented with Fort McDowell’s funding during the academic
year of 2018-2019. The project’s timeline has been outlined as follows:
 July-August: Conduct project planning, marketing, and volunteer recruitment.
 September-November: Host three (3) workshops, a campus tour, and a community forum.
 December-January: Conduct a mid-term assessment.
 February-April: Host three (3) workshops, a campus tour, and a community forum.
 May-June: Conduct the final evaluation; Prepare the final reports.
Upon receipt of an official notice of award, MCC will call for the first planning meeting and start
organizing the project’s activities, developing the project’s marketing and instructional materials, and
recruiting volunteers for the activities. MCC will schedule three workshops, one campus tour, and a
community forum each semester. After the fall semester, the project team will conduct a mid-term
assessment, make necessary adjustments, and host the remaining activities in spring. The final evaluation
and reports will be completed by June 2019.
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Exploring STEM Degrees & Careers @ MCC
Project Budget
Item/Activity $ Budget Justification
Activity 1: STEM Workshops ($2,100)
Faculty Stipends $546 Faculty members will conduct STEM education workshops: $28.50 x
4 faculty members x 4 hours; Plus statutory benefits.
Student Interns $632 Student interns will assist the Project Director in organizing the
workshops: $11.00 x 6 students x 8 hours; Plus statutory benefits
(19.78%).
Event Supplies $922 Costs for marketing/event materials, refreshments, and other supplies.
Activity 2: STEM Campus Tours ($2,900)
Faculty Stipends $546 Faculty will conduct STEM education activities for tour participants:
$28.50 x 4 faculty members x 4 hours; Plus statutory benefits
Student Interns $632 Student interns will assist the Project Director in organizing the tours:
$11.00 x 6 students x 8 hours; Plus statutory benefits (19.78%).
Event Supplies $1,222 Costs for marketing/event materials, refreshments, and other supplies.
Transportation $500 Provide bus passes, school buses, and other transportation options that
could help high/middle school students participate in the tours.
Activity 3: STEM Community Forums ($5,000)
Keynote Speakers $2,000 Provide honorarium, including travel costs, for nationally known
speakers who would motivate students to pursue STEM degrees and
careers, such as Fredi Lajvardi, a high school STEM educator.
Student Interns $632 Student interns will assist the Project Director in organizing the
community forums: $11.00 x 6 students x 8 hours; Plus statutory
benefits (19.78%).
Event Supplies $2,368 Costs for marketing/event materials, refreshments, and other supplies.
TOTAL $10,000