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.

Since 1970, MESA’s academic development program has supported educationally disadvantaged students so they can excel in math and science studies and graduate with degrees in engineering, science and technology.

To the extent possible by California law, MESA emphasizes participation by students from groups with low eligibility rates for four-year institutions. MESA is administered by the University of California. The intersegmental program is funded by the state legislature, corporate contributions and grants.

MESA has received national recognition for its success. MESA has been named as one of the most innovative public programs in the country by Innovations in American Government, a project of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the Ford Foundation. MESA is a winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. MESA is the largest consortium of programs to receive National Science Foundation scholarships earmarked to support community college students who transfer to four-year institutions.

Many companies work with MESA because they recognize that the program produces urgently-needed math, engineering, science and technology professionals. Companies provide MESA with equipment, technical resources, internships, and volunteers.

MESA education partners include the University of California, the California State University, California Community Colleges, independent colleges and universities, the California Department of Education, community-based education centers, school districts and individual schools.

MESA's programs provide academic development support to students throughout the academic pathway. The MESA Schools Program assists pre-college students to succeed in math and science studies and go on to college in math-based fields.

The MESA Community College Program supports community college students to succeed in math, engineering and science studies so they can transfer to four-year colleges and universities in math-based fields.

MESA Engineering Program centers assist engineering and computer science majors in four-year institutions so they will graduate with baccalaureate degrees.

These three programs operate from local sites throughout California.

California MESA is the model for similar academic enrichment programs in seven other states. The eight programs work together as MESA USA. Pilot pre-college programs in three other states were established in Fall 2002. Six community college programs in five states were launched in Summer 2004. For a PDF version of the MESA brochure, click here.