Monroe Community College: Three Generations of Education, Leadership, and Legacy
October 30, 2026
October is Higher Education Month. To celebrate, we are highlighting Deb Stamps, MCC Foundation Board Director and Alumni Chair, whose family’s connection to Monroe Community College spans three generations.
Monroe Community College holds a very special place in Stamps’ heart and throughout her family’s history. As she explains, “Our connection spans three generations and reflects a shared commitment to education, perseverance, leadership, and service.”
Stamps earned her associate degree in nursing from MCC in 1997, an experience that helped shape the course of her professional life. “That educational foundation launched a nursing career that has taken me into executive leadership, higher education, community service, and national healthcare advocacy,” she said.
Her late husband, William J. Scott, also began his academic journey at MCC. Through the College’s 2+2 program, he transferred to Tuskegee University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
The family’s MCC legacy continued with the next generation. Stamps’ daughter, Marcella Carr, completed many of her prerequisite courses at MCC before advancing her education and ultimately earning a master’s degree in nursing leadership.
Her granddaughter, Carys Carr, likewise benefited from MCC, completing general education coursework while attending Howard University. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in maternal and child health, followed by a Master of Public Health from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at Morgan State University.
Looking back on her family’s connection to MCC, Stamps said being part of a multi-generational MCC family fills her with pride and gratitude.
“What is especially meaningful is that our educational journeys were not identical, yet we all found opportunity at MCC,” she said. “As a mother, grandmother, nurse, and educator, I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give future generations is a belief in the power of education.”
While her family’s connection to MCC has made the institution even more meaningful to her, it was Stamps’ own experience as an MCC nursing graduate that initially inspired her continued involvement with the College.
“MCC helped establish the foundation for my professional success, and I have never forgotten the importance of that beginning or the people and educational opportunities that helped shape my journey,” she said.
As her career evolved into nursing executive leadership, education, and workforce development, Stamps developed an even deeper appreciation for the vital role community colleges play in preparing professionals, creating opportunities, and strengthening communities. That appreciation inspired her to remain actively involved with MCC and give back to the institution that helped launch her career.
Stamps’ connection to MCC extends far beyond her years as a student. “Beyond being a graduate, I have remained actively engaged with MCC as an alumna,” she said. “I have participated in television and radio commercials promoting the college, received numerous recognitions, including induction into the Alumni Hall of Fame, and now have the privilege of serving on the MCC Foundation Board.”
Today, her work on the Foundation Board allows her to help create educational opportunities for students facing financial, social, or other barriers. “I understand firsthand how access to education can change the trajectory of someone’s life,” she said. “When an institution helps open doors for you, you have a responsibility to help hold those doors open for others.”
Reflecting on the College’s growth over the years, Stamps noted that MCC has evolved significantly since she graduated in 1997. Technology, teaching methods, healthcare education, and workforce expectations have all changed, creating new learning opportunities, expanded career pathways, and educational resources for today’s students. However, she believes the College’s core values have remained steadfast. “What has remained constant is MCC’s commitment to educational access, academic excellence, student success, and community engagement,” she said.
Among her most memorable experiences was being invited to participate in MCC television and radio commercials. Having the opportunity to share her story and encourage others to recognize the possibilities that begin at a community college was both an honor and a privilege. Another highlight was her induction into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame. Stamps described the recognition as a humbling and deeply rewarding full-circle moment, one that underscored the impact MCC had on her life and career and reminded her how far her journey had taken her.
“Perhaps my greatest memory is not any single accomplishment or recognition, but the realization that MCC has remained a meaningful part of our family’s story for decades,” she said. “What began as an educational opportunity has become a legacy of learning, perseverance, and achievement that continues through each generation.”
Drawing on both her personal and professional experiences, Stamps hopes future generations will embrace the same opportunities that helped shape her family’s journey.
When asked what advice she would give future generations of her family regarding MCC, Stamps emphasized the transformative power of education. “…never underestimate the power of an educational opportunity or the possibilities that can begin at MCC,” she said.
She encourages future generations to dream boldly, work hard, build meaningful relationships, and embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. “Never allow your circumstances or where you begin to limit what you believe is possible,” she added.
For Stamps, education is about more than earning degrees or achieving professional success. “It is about discovering your purpose, developing your potential, and using your knowledge, skills, and talents to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” she said.
She also hopes that future generations will remember those who helped pave the way, appreciate the opportunities before them, and recognize their responsibility to open doors for those who follow.
For Stamps’ family, MCC has been far more than a college. Across three generations, it has served as a gateway to opportunity, a catalyst for achievement, and a foundation for a lifelong commitment to leadership and service.
Deb Stamps poses with her mother, daughter, and granddaughter in front of the Rochester skyline.