Mathematics, Engineering, Science
Achievement (MESA)
To be covered in this
presentation:
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Industry’s workforce crisis
Science and math education in
California: a grave challenge
Why California needs MESA
The MESA program
Latest MESA data
Industry’s workforce crisis
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In 2001, some 14,000 California jobs requiring
science or engineering degrees went unfilled.
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Fewer than 20,000 science and engineering
graduates are produced annually in our state. To fill
state vacancies, California must increase the
number of these graduates by 70%.
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Jobs that require science, engineering and technical
training will increase 51% nationally. This means 6
million potential job openings.
Science and math education:
A grave challenge
California ranks
 49th among all states in students
taking advanced science courses
 48th for eighth grade proficiency in science
 35th for high school students taking advanced
math courses
Why California needs MESA
MESA works!
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While over 70% of MESA schools are among the
lowest performing in the state, 67% of MESA precollege students go on to college right after
graduation, compared to 44% of all California
students.
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36% of MESA’s African American, Latino American
and American Indian high school seniors are eligible
to attend UC, compared to the state rate of 6%.
Why California needs MESA (continued)
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99% of MESA community college students
transfer to four-year institutions as science,
engineering or math majors.
California MESA has been replicated in 14
states.
Nearly 100 companies work with MESA
because of its outstanding track record.
MESA Works!
“MESA is highly effective in training a diverse workforce
in the technical skills that we need.”
Edward A. Taylor, Google
“MESA produces quality engineers and scientists that
are urgently needed in a technology-based company like
Chevron.”
Brenda Mize, Chevron
“ MESA brings along students who
are able to stay abreast of fastpaced technological changes.”
Yno Gonzalez, AT&T
Mission Statement
MESA enables educationally disadvantaged students to prepare
for and graduate from a four-year college or university with a
math-based degree in areas such as engineering, the sciences,
computer science, and mathematics.
Through MESA, students develop academic and leadership
skills, increase educational performance, and gain confidence in
their ability to compete professionally. MESA has particular
interest in and focus on students from those groups who
historically have had the lowest levels of attainment to four-year
and graduate level programs.
By closing this achievement gap, MESA students and graduates
will be better able to make significant contributions to the
socioeconomic well-being of their families and their communities.
Vision Statement
To support the national
science and mathematics
educational agenda by
ensuring that all MESA
students are mathematically
and scientifically literate so
that they can play a
leadership role in an
increasingly technological
world.
MESA Programs
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MESA Schools
Program
MESA Community
College Program
MESA Engineering
Program
MESA Schools Program
(MSP)
MSP serves precollege students
throughout the state
so they will excel in
math and science
and go on to
college in mathbased majors.
MSP Components
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Individual Academic
Plans
MESA periods
Study skills training
Career and college
exploration
MSP Components (continued)
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MESA Day
Academies
Parent leadership
development
Teacher training
opportunities
MESA Community College
Program (MCCP)
MESA, in partnership with
the California Community
Colleges Chancellor’s Office,
provides math, engineering
and science academic
enrichment to community
college students so they
excel academically and
transfer to four-year
institutions as math-based
majors.
MCCP Components
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Academic
Excellence
Workshops
Orientation course
Assistance in the
transfer process
Career advising
MCCP Components (continued)
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Links with student
and professional
organizations
Student Study
Center
Professional
development
workshops
Industry Advisory
Board
MESA Engineering
Program (MEP)
MEP supports university
students majoring in
engineering or computer
science so they will
successfully attain their
baccalaureates.
MEP Components
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Academic
Excellence
Workshops
Clustering
Orientation course
Career advising
MEP Components (continued)
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Links with student
and professional
organizations
Professional
development
workshops
Industry Advisory
Board
Student Study
Center and
computer lab
Who MESA Serves (2005-2006)
Total students served: 20,050
 MSP: 14,000
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MCCP: 3,500
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290 elementary, middle and high schools
84 school districts.
29 California community colleges
MEP: 2,500
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8 CSU, 2 UC
MESA Schools Program (cont.)
MESA Works!
For more information:
http://mesa.ucop.edu
COS MESA Community
College Program
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MCCP Components (review)
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Academic Excellence Workshops
Orientation course
Assistance in the transfer process
Career advising
Links with student and professional
organizations
Student Study Center
Professional development workshops
Industry Advisory Board
Assistance With The Transfer
Process
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Field trip to UC Davis (October 20)
Reviewing application packets and
providing suggestion/corrections
Helping students to develop transfer
application essays
CSU and UC information center
Career Advising
Sharon Black (COS College Counselor)
 Provides Academic Advising
 Reviews Student Transfer Application
Packets
Links with Professional
Organizations
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Field Trip to Visalia Waste Water
Treatment Plant
MESA Students at SACNAS (Society
for Advancement of Chicanos and
Native Americans in Science)
MESA Study Center
Mon. – Thur. 8:00am – 3:30pm
Friday 9:00am – 12:0pm
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6 Student Tutors
Dry Erase Boards
Computers
Status of the COS MESA
Program
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Currently we are an approved MESA
CCP un-endowed program
MESA Statewide has funding for two
additional MCCP programs for 20072008 academic year
Working on RFP for the 2007-2008
academic year
How can you help build and
sustain COS MESA?
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Share the program with math, science
and engineering majors
Show students where the center is
located (Sequoia RM 5)
Referrals!
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Please refer any potential students to the
MESA staff