ABOUT
History
Our History
History of the Metropolitan Education ComissionThe Metropolitan Education Commission (MEC), a non-profit organization, was established by the City of Tucson and Pima County in 1990 through a joint resolution to represent the interests of the community and its citizens in the education of children, youth and adults living in the City of Tucson and Pima County (City of Tucson Resolution No.15453 and Pima County Resolution No. 1990-178).
The MEC was the first in the United States to bring together a cross-section of individuals to form a 34-member Commission who represent families, public and private schools, businesses, government, social services, and the Hispanic-Native-African-Asian-American communities, with the purpose of working together to address all areas affecting the educational welfare of Tucson and Pima County citizens.
Vision, Mission, & Goals
Our Vision
Students of all ages and backgrounds will be academically prepared, successfully graduate, and pursue a post-secondary pathway and career of their choice.
Our Mission
To advocate for a quality and affordable education from preschool to post-secondary for all residents of the City of Tucson and Pima County.
Our Goals
We pursue our vision and mission by focusing on the following goals:
Voice
To equip students, families, educators, business and community leaders with information that will empower them to advocate for the educational welfare of the citizens of the City of Tucson and Pima County.
Community
- To form strategic collaborations with individuals and organizations to advocate for all levels of education – pre-kindergarten to post-secondary.
- To engage youth and families in advocating for education.
- To recognize individuals and groups within the community who demonstrate exemplary service to students and to education.
Future
- To promote graduation from high school as a first step toward an enriched future for students and a realistic sense of their place within the community.
- To guide students through various pathways to higher education and prepare them to contribute to a dynamic, highly skilled workforce.
Programs
To offer programs that prepare students for their future:
- Youth Advisory Council/Tucson Teen Congress-Youth Leadership & Civic Engagement
- Key to Employment – Industry & Academic Symposium & High School Internship Information Service for High School Students
- Regional College Access Center -Higher Education Pathways Advising and Planning
Metropolitan Education Commission 2020 - 2021
Appointed by the chair of Pima County Board of Supervisors
George Favela (Past Chair)*, Parent
Paul Lovelis (Chair)*, Social Service Agencies Serving Children/Youth
Nicole Pargas, Health Care Community
Betty Villegas, Pima County Board of Supervisors
James Wiltbank, Religious Community
*Executive Board Members
Appointed by the Mayor and Members of the Tucson City Council
Kendra Davey, Libraries/Museums/Arts
Daniela Figueroa, Social Service Agencies Serving Children/Youth
Ricardo Hernandez, Parents
Camiliano Juarez, Parks/Recreation/Housing
Vacant, Member, Tucson City Council
Community Representatives
Monica Brinkerhoff (Secretary)*, Early Childhood Education
Buck Crouch, School Governing Board Member, AZ School Boards Association
Kendra Davey, At-Large Appointee, Pima County Library
David Doré, Ed.D., Pima Community College
Leslie Ferre, Teacher, Grades 5-9, AZ Education Association
Steven Freeman, Disabled Community, MEC Appointee
Cathy Duarte Gastelum, Ph.D., Executive Director, MEC, Ex-officio Member
Daniela Gallagher, Business Community, Sun Corridor
Javier Herrera, Hispanic Community Forum
Steve Holmes, School Superintendents Collaborative
Teri Bohr Laguna, Teacher, Grades K-6, AZ Education Association
Jon Lansa (Treasurer)*, Educational Foundations
Alexander Lewis, Native American Community, Tucson Indian Center
Elayna Mack, Youth Representative, MEC Youth Advisory Council
Rafael Meza*, Accredited Private Institutions Representative
Clarisa Nido Building Principal, AZ School Administrators
Samia Palmer Youth Representative, MEC Youth Advisory Council
Daisy Rodriguez Pitel, Ph.D. (Vice-Chair)*, Pan-Asian Community Forum
Rex Scott (Appointments)*, At-Large Commission Appointee
Jennifer Sprung Teacher, Grades 9-12, AZ Education Association
Kasey Urquidez, Ed.D., University of Arizona
Kathy Prather, Business Community, Sun Corridor
Dustin Williams, Pima County Superintendent of Schools, Ex-Officio Member
Vacant, Hispanic Community Forum
Vacant, Tucson Urban League
*Executive Board Members
MEC 2020-2021 Meeting Schedule
Please visit https://www.tucsonaz.
MEC 2018-2019 Annual Report
(520) 670-0055
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
1080 S 10th Ave,
Tucson, AZ 85701