About Us
MESA believes that all students have the potential to succeed, but not all students have the access to the opportunities to succeed in STEM.
The MESA program works to ensure all students in California have access to mentoring, experiences, networks and other resources they need in order to earn degrees in calculus-based STEM fields and pursue careers in STEM.
Statewide Staff
Industry Advisory Board
Intersegmental Steering Committee
Alumni Committee
Student Leadership Conference Committee
Our History
On the heels of the civil rights movement, a group of concerned educators and community activists in the California Bay Area created MESA. Its goal: provide the academic support, resources and career exploration needed to increase the number of minority students graduating from undergraduate engineering programs.
A grassroots effort that began with 25 students at Oakland Technical High School in 1970 has flourished into an award-winning program that serves almost 25,000 middle school, high school, community college and university level students throughout California each year. MESA’s long history with industry and its vast network of alumni are key components to success.
Thomas Ahn - Executive Director
Marvin Maldonado - Interim Deputy Director
Mindy Rieger - Director of Development
Marilyn Baker - Administrative Assistant
Justin Ilumin - Coordinator of Research Evaluation and Information Management
Sandy Jacoby - Administrative Assistant
Danielle McNamara - Strategic Communications and External Engagement
Katie Mills - Data Analyst
Beatrice Prieto - College Prep Programs Lead
Statewide Staff
The MESA statewide office provides oversight and consistency in messaging and curriculum for the 70 MESA centers throughout California.
MESA is stewarded by the University of California Office of the President.
Industry Advisory Board
The Industry Advisory Board consists of industry leaders who commit to advocate for, partner with and build resources for MESA. MESA is currently recruiting industry leaders to participate.
Intersegmental Steering Committee
The Intersegmental Steering Committee (ISC) is comprised of top representatives from the following education partners: University of California (UC), California State Universities (CSU), California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), and the California Department of Education (CDE).
The ISC provides intersegmental strategic leadership and guidance to CA MESA in defining and implementing its operations, resource generation and research/evaluation agendas in a manner consistent with its vision, purpose and strategic goals.
LaTonya Williams - CCCCO
Ray Murillo - CSU
Kari Stewart -- UC
Thomas Vu - AICCU
California Department of Education (CDE)
We're Here To Help!
MESA Statewide Office
1111 Franklin Street, 10th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607
Call Us
(510) 987-9337