Rangel appointed to Port Authority

Juan Rangel, MCC’s director of community engagement, has been appointed to serve as a commissioner for the Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri.

Rangel, who was appointed to the post by Kansas City Mayor Sly James in July, will join eight other members on the board. He will serve on the finance committee.

The Port Authority, established in 1977 to enhance the economic vitality of Kansas City, oversees environmental stewardship and sustainable development along the downtown riverfront. The organization, classified as a redevelopment entity, controls 120 acres of land along the Missouri River and is also involved in the partnership that is recreating the former Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base site in South Kansas City into an important regional economic hub.

Rangel will serve a six-year term as commissioner. In addition to this new post with the Port Authority, he is also on the boards of a number of other community organizations, including the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, the UMKC Women’s Center, Truman Medical Center, Guadalupe Center Inc., Heartland Men's Chorus and Research Development Institute.

John Fierro, executive director of the Mattie Rhodes Center, was elected to the MCC Foundation board of directors in May.

Mattie Rhodes Center is a non-profit organization with a mission to “bridge cultures and communities through arts, mental health and social services and empower individuals and families through culturally competent, bilingual services in a respectful and compassionate environment.”

Fierro is involved in a number of other community organizations and initiatives, including serving as president of the Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Board of Commissioners and as a member of the board of directors for the National Recreation and Park Association. He holds two masters degrees: one in public affairs from Park University and one in business administration from Rockhurst University. He also attended Harvard University.

Fierro is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and lives on the city's west side in the same neighborhood where he was raised.

Rojas Joins Foundation Board

The MCC Foundation last month welcomed a new member to the board of directors: Cici Rojas, a prominent civic leader and advocate for the Latino community in Kansas City and across the U.S.

Rojas is the vice president of community engagement for Truman Medical Centers, where she oversees employee enrichment and training, health and wellness, community relations and strategic innovation. Prior to her work at TMC, Rojas served as president and CEO of both the Greater Kansas City and the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. She also was vice president of

MCC-Blue River advisor representing Kansas City

MCC-Blue River is proud to announce academic advisor Temeca White has been elected to serve on the executive board for the Missouri Academic Advising Association.

White is the Kansas City Representative responsible for reaching out and connecting with academic advisors in the Kansas City Area. “I am so excited to have an opportunity to serve alongside [Blue River’s] Jenny Steen and other great advisors within the state of Missouri who share my passion for working with college students” says White.

Always looking for an opportunity for service, she says she is excited to “represent her hometown and for this opportunity to learn, grow, and be challenged”.

The Blue River team applauds Temeca White!