City of Mesa
Home MenuEducation and Workforce Development Roundtable
Quarterly or as needed
Current schedule:
The Studios
59 E. 1st St.
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
2024 Meeting Dates
- Wednesday, December 4
2025 Meeting Dates
- Wednesday, March 5
- Wednesday, June 4
- Wednesday, September 3
- Wednesday, December 3
The purpose and mission of the Education and Workforce Development Roundtable is to serve as a centralized body reporting to the City Council which will streamline and coordinate efforts to advance Mesa’s education and workforce development goals, including but not limited to:
- Increasing and maintaining enrollment in education programs, including in early childhood, vocational, trade, and postsecondary education programs.
- Improving completion rates of education, vocational, and trade programs.
- Achieving higher educational attainment, including increased attainment of professional certifications and licenses and postsecondary degrees.
- Expanding job opportunities.
- Building successful careers, a competitive workforce, and a strong local economy.
-
Providing equitable access to work and learning opportunities, resources, and support so that all can participate, prosper, and thrive in Mesa’s vibrant community and workforce.
The Roundtable will work in partnership with experts in education, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and Mesa residents to advance these goals.
The Roundtable has seventeen members: eight standing members and nine appointed members.
Standing members
- Superintendent of Mesa Public Schools or designee
- Superintendent of Gilbert Public Schools or designee
- Superintendent of Queen Creek Unified School District or designee
- Superintendent of Higley Unified School District or designee
- Superintendent of EVIT
- President of Mesa Community College or designee
- President of Arizona State University or designee
- President of Benedictine University or designee
- President of Mesa Chamber of Commerce or designee
Appointed members
Nine people selected from the following categories are appointed to the Roundtable by the Mayor and approved by the Council.
- Up to two members of the City Council
- One member of the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board
- Up to three people who are each either: an executive director of an education focused nonprofit organization located in Arizona or designee; an early learning expert; or a professional in the field of diversity and inclusion
- Up to two executives of businesses with Mesa offices or locations or designees
- One educator currently employed at a school district or postsecondary education institute serving Mesa residents (this member must be a resident of Mesa)
- One parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled at a school district serving Mesa residents (this member must be a resident of Mesa
|
Board Member: |
Role: |
Date Appointed: |
Term Expires: |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dr. Perry Berry Queen Creek Unified School District |
Standing Position |
|
Ongoing |
|
Dr. Joseph Foy Benedictine University |
Standing Position |
|
Ongoing |
| Candice Copple Arizona State University |
Standing Position |
Ongoing | |
|
Sherry Richards Higley Unified School District |
Standing Position |
|
Ongoing |
| Dr. Andi Fourlis Mesa Public Schools |
Standing Position |
|
Ongoing |
|
Sally Harrison Mesa Chamber of Commerce |
Standing Position |
|
Ongoing |
|
Dr. Shane McCord Gilbert Public Schools |
Standing Position |
|
Ongoing |
| Dr. Richard Daniel Mesa Community College |
Standing Position |
Ongoing |
|
| Dr. Chad Wilson East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) |
Standing Position |
|
Ongoing |
| Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia City of Mesa |
Appointed Member |
4/22/21 |
6/30/25 |
| Rich Nickel Education Forward Arizona |
Appointed Member |
4/22/21 |
6/30/26 |
| Dr. Joe O'Reilly ASU Helios Decision Center |
Appointed Member |
4/22/21 |
6/30/26 |
| Councilmember Julie Spilsbury City of Mesa |
Appointed Member |
4/22/21 |
6/30/25 |
| Jenny Robinson Mesa Public Schools |
Appointed Member |
4/25/22 |
6/30/25 |
| Kristin Sorensen Boeing |
Appointed Member |
11/2/23 |
6/30/25 |
| David Williams Meta |
Appointed Member |
4/25/22 |
6/30/25 |
| Vince Yanez Helios Education Foundation |
Appointed Member |
4/22/21 |
6/30/26 |
Staff Contact:
Sarah Tolar
Administrator
sarah.tolar@mesaaz.gov
480-644-3830