MESA, Arizona – April 20, 2026 – Mesa Community College (MCC) proudly recognizes Rupanjana Sengupta, Czar Goetz and Maralena Cicchetti as recipients of the 2026 MCC Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Awards from the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and its Adjunct Faculty Group for their exceptional contributions to students. Awards were presented during a celebration hosted by the Maricopa Center for Learning and Innovation on Friday, April 17, 2026 at the Rio Salado Conference Center in Tempe.  

Faculty, staff, leadership and students nominate candidates for the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Awards by highlighting their contributions in areas such as instructional innovation, student engagement, collaboration and service to the college and community.

“Rupanjana, Czar and Maralena exemplify what it means to be student-centered educators,” said MCC Vice President of Academic Affairs, Joanne Russell, Ph.D., “Their ability to bring relevant professional experience into the classroom, while creating supportive and engaging environments has had a lasting impact on our students and the greater community.”

Rupanjana Sengupta, Maricopa IT Institute
An instructor with the Maricopa IT Institute at MCC since 2023, Rupanjana Sengupta is recognized for her exceptional work teaching five cohorts of City of Mesa employees. Her instruction stands out for its direct connection to real-world applications, as she consistently tailors course content to align with employees’ day-to-day responsibilities.

Sengupta demonstrates a deep commitment to partnership and continuous improvement by collaborating with city and industry stakeholders, developing customized evaluation tools and capturing student success stories that highlight the program’s real-world impact. Her work not only enhances individual career pathways but also strengthens workforce development across the region.

Czar Goetz, Construction Management & Trades
Czar Goetz is honored for his instrumental role in building MCC’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). As a business owner, Goetz dedicates significant time and resources to ensure students receive hands-on, industry-relevant training – and he further supports student success by hiring program graduates into his own company.

Since joining MCC in 2025, he has helped design and develop lab environments that mirror field conditions – including donating equipment and creating live troubleshooting scenarios. His efforts enable students to think and perform like working technicians, preparing them for success in the workforce. 

Maralena Cicchetti
An adjunct faculty member in the Administration of Justice Studies program since 2012, Maralena Cicchetti is recognized for her engaging teaching style and deep expertise as a current evidence analyst at the Mesa Crime Lab. For more than a decade, she has brought real-world experience into the classroom, helping students understand the critical importance of properly collecting and preserving evidence.

Cicchetti is known for her ability to ensure  students are well-equipped for careers and understand the legal significance of their work. Cicchetti is also recognized for her reliability, stepping in to support courses as needed and developing new curriculum for upcoming programs. 

# # # 

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

Mesa Community College (MCC) 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.