MESA, Ariz. – Dec. 4, 2025 – An open house for a high-fidelity Behavioral Health Simulation Lab, a trailblazing new facility delivering realistic patient care experiences to students at Mesa Community College (MCC), is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10 on the Red Mountain Campus, 7110 E. McKellips Rd., Acacia Village.  

The event is free and open to the community. MCC President Dr. Richard Daniel will welcome guests to the event which will be followed by tours of the lab and hands-on activities and refreshments. 

Funding from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System made it possible for MCC to design the lab to mimic real-world care facilities. Spaces include a day room for group sessions, child-friendly care areas, secluded one-on-one observation areas, and zones to minimize self-harm tendencies. Safety features include heavy, ligature-free furniture and magnet-release doors. In the Clinical Room, equipped with hospital-grade blood pressure monitors, beds and lifelike mannequins, students learn how to identify psychological and medical issues, and determine and administer treatment.

“Here, students can not only develop essential clinical skills but also strengthen the empathy, communication and teamwork that are vital in the behavioral health field,” said Carol Achs, MCC Dean of Instruction, Mathematics/Computer Science, Sciences and Exercise Science.

The lab opening coincides with the launch of MCC’s new Certificate of Completion in Applied Behavioral Health (CCL). This program equips students with the skills needed to enter the workforce providing direct patient care as mental health professionals, caring for individuals with conditions such as anxiety, mood, personality and psychotic disorders, post-traumatic stress syndrome and behavioral challenges. It is the first program of its kind within the Maricopa Community Colleges and in the state.

“This event is an opportunity for guests to explore how MCC’s Applied Behavioral Health program prepares students for a meaningful career in mental health services,” Achs explained, adding, “We are very excited to offer this invaluable hands-on training to students. Often they don’t get the opportunity to participate in critical situations until they are in the field. The teaching methods and the way we construct our programs have evolved over the decades to align with industry needs and expectations.”

The addition of the CCL and lab is a response to a 2023 report by the nonprofit Mental Health America ranking Arizona 49th in the nation for access to adult mental health care. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% increase in psychiatric technician and aide positions by 2033.  

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College (MCC), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary during 2025, is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving more than 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. MCC serves as a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest Indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges, supporting students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu/newsroom.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.