The College of the Canyons Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement Program celebrated its 25-year anniversary of streamlining students toward academic success on Tuesday in the Aliso Courtyard.
Students, faculty, professors and governing board members were among those present to celebrate over two decades of MESA, which prides itself in helping with resources and opportunities that assist educationally and economically disadvantaged students to succeed in STEM-related fields.
The program currently serves over 300 students and some resources provided include specialized tutoring, professional development like presentations on perfecting a resume or how to network. Beyond the classroom, on occasion recipients have the opportunity to attend conferences, said MESA Program Director Amy Foote, who has served in the position for 10 years.
“They can not only network with the industry, but also learn what is the most cutting-edge research that’s going on right now in their fields, so they can get an idea of where they might want to go,” she said.
The MESA program was once a tiny bungalow, and in 2007, a more established space was provided, which is now known as the MESA Center. The center, located in Aliso Hall, serves as a hub for students where they can form study groups, connect with professors, and surround themselves with others of common interests.
“Moving from a small space to a larger space has enabled us to grow and allow more students into the program,” and is considered one of their biggest achievements, Foote said.
Among faculty present was David Vakil, COC’s dean of the School of Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering, and he credited a lot of MESA’s success to Foote.
“She is also the president of the statewide organization of MESA directors, the California Community College Association, so when she talks about the program expanding here, she’s been a big part of that but it’s also about expanding statewide, and she’s been a huge proponent of that,” Vakil said, adding that MESA centers across community colleges in the state have increased from 34 centers to 96.
At the root of that mission is Foote’s passion for advocacy.
When the community college needed an interim MESA director, she jumped at the opportunity and, “I fell in love immediately. Fell in love with the students, fell in love with the program. Loved the mission and advocacy. I will do anything for these students. Supporting them is phenomenal,” Foote said.
MESA offers two separate programs, one for fully qualified students, which means they are first-generation and have a form of financial need. Currently 168 students benefit from it with assistance from grant and state funds, Foote said.
The second program is called Friends of MESA, which is for students who may not fit those requirements or needs but could still receive assistance through other grants and funding, she added.
Current and alumni students also shared personal testimonies on how the MESA program helped shape them and their academics. An interactive MESA Skills Lab table showcasing student innovation was also available for guests to get a closer look at how current students are applying their knowledge into their own personal projects.
“They all have high goals and high aspirations. They’re all kind of pushing each other to do better and that is what’s beautiful,” COC trustee Fred Arnold said, noting that the skills lab was a highlight for him.
Bri Jackson gave credit to the MESA Program for her growth as a student planning to pursue engineering at a four-year university in the near future.
“MESA has given me things to talk about in my applications. MESA has given me guidance in writing. Without MESA, I would make an attempt, but I would be nowhere near successful as I would be right now,” Jackson said as she took a break from the interactive skills lab table.
“It’s helped me so much,” she said, adding that during her second year as a COC student, she attended a women in engineering conference and was exposed to many different avenues she could take in her professional career.
“It’s such an eye opener to the hard work and the commitment that not only the faculty and staff make, but the students make to themselves, to do something that’s so different, do something that’s challenging, do something that’s innovative and make a better life for them and their families,” Arnold said. “There’s so many opportunities at College of the Canyons, this amazing program being one of them. It’s just an honor to serve, and an honor to be a part of such a wonderfulresource within our community.”
