One World. Many Voices.
The world has many voices—share yours!
Poetry has a way of taking big ideas and making them personal. This fall, we’re asking students to do just that and put their own voice into this year’s theme.
To celebrate International Education Week, the Global Engagement Council invites students from all 10 Maricopa Community Colleges to submit an original poem inspired by this year’s theme: “One World. Many Voices.”
Your poem might be about culture or community, where you come from, the people and places that have shaped you, or experiences that have changed how you see the world and maybe your place in it. How you interpret the theme is entirely up to you!
And yes, there are prizes! You could win up to $100 in Follett Bookstore gift cards—plus, you’ll also get a chance to share your work with the Maricopa community.
The deadline to submit your poem is Friday, November 6, 2026.
Eligibility
The contest is open to students enrolled at any of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges during the Fall 2026 semester. Faculty are not eligible to participate.
Guidelines
- Your poem must relate to the theme “One World. Many Voices.”
- Your entry must be original, unpublished, and not previously have won an award.
- You may submit one poem.
- Your poem may not exceed 100 lines.
Gift Card Prizes
- 🥇 First Place: $100
- 🥈 Second Place: $75
- 🥉 Third Place: $50
- Three Honorable Mentions: $25 each
Submit Your Poem
Ready to share your voice? Submit your original poem by Friday, November 6, 2026.
For questions, please email: do.cge@domail.maricopa.edu
Virtual Poetry Slam
November 19 | 3 p.m.
All students who enter the contest are invited to join us for a virtual Poetry Slam celebrating this year’s poets and their work. The winning poems will be read during the event, and other participants will also have an opportunity to share their poems.
The world has many voices. We hope to hear yours.
Honoring Aziz Alhadi
This poetry contest is dedicated to the memory of Aziz Alhadi, former Director of International Education at Mesa Community College, who passed away in the summer of 2024.
Aziz joined MCC in 2019, bringing more than 20 years of experience in international education. He was admired for his visionary thinking and leadership, passion for cultural understanding, and ability to inspire meaningful change. His contributions to Maricopa Community Colleges were invaluable, and his loss is deeply felt by his colleagues and the community.
He will be remembered for his poems and passion, his unwavering dedication to students and coworkers, and the positivity he brought to every interaction. Through this contest, we honor his spirit of creativity, connection, and global learning.
Celebrate your voice. Share your story. Be part of a global community of learners through poetry.