FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2013
Danielle McNamara
(510) 987-0230
Press Release
A select group of 200 community college and university students will hone their leadership skills at a special invitation-only conference for math-based majors.
The 10th Annual Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Student Leadership Conference is fully sponsored by industry donations. The California Utilities Diversity Council, Edison International, San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Gas Company and Pacific Gas and Electric provided generous gifts that allow students to attend.
The conference, themed “Future STEM Leaders, Powered by MESA,” will be held on October 18-19 at the Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego. It offers extensive professional and leadership development through direct interaction with industry mentors and speakers. The hand-picked MESA students, all science, engineering, or math majors, represent approximately 30 universities and community colleges from across the state.
Students will participate in mock interviews, connect with industry representatives and hear guest speakers. MESA alumnus Senator Alex Padilla is a keynote speaker and will be awarded the MESA Outstanding Alumni Award.
Southern California Gas Company has been named the 2013 MESA Champion for the energy company’s longstanding support of the program.
“We know that California’s economy needs more STEM workers to stay competitive,” said MESA Executive Director Oscar F. Porter. “These students provide the solution to industry’s need for well-trained professionals.
‘They were selected to attend the conference because these students have strong leadership skills. This event gives them a chance to interact extensively with STEM professionals currently working in industry,” said Porter.
Student attendees represent the following campuses: CSU Chico, CSU Fresno, CSU Long Beach, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Sacramento, San Diego State University, San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, Sonoma State University, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, University of the Pacific, American River College (Sacramento), Bakersfield College), City College of San Francisco, College of the Sequoias (Visalia), Cosumnes River College (Sacramento), East Los Angeles College, El Camino College (Torrance), Los Medanos College (Pittsburg), Pasadena City College, Rio Hondo College (Whittier), Sacramento City College, San Diego City College, Santa Barbara City College, Skyline College (San Bruno), Southwestern College (Chula Vista), and Yuba College (Marysville).
MESA promotes STEM success for more than 28,000 educationally disadvantaged secondary, community college and four-year college students in California through project-based learning, academic counseling and exposure to STEM careers, so they can graduate from college with math-based degrees. Seventy percent of MESA high school graduates statewide went directly to college after graduation compared to 48 percent of all California graduates. Sixty percent of MESA students go on to math, science or engineering majors.
For more information about the SLC visit mesa.ucop.edu/slc/index.html
For more information about MESA visit mesa.ucop.edu.