MESA Conference Connects ΒιΆΉΣ³» Students with Industry Leaders to Develop the Next Generation of STEM Leaders
Two talented ΒιΆΉΣ³» (NVC) student leaders were hand-picked to attend an invitation-only STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) conference sponsored by MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) on November 5 and 6 at the Hayes Mansion in San Jose, California. Luz Robles, a civil engineering major, and Jorge Alejandre-Martinez, a computer science major, were selected to represent ΒιΆΉΣ³» at the annual student leadership conference.
βMESAβs Student Leadership Conference provides an incredible opportunity for our community college and university students to gain invaluable career development skills and network with leading industry professionals to kick-start their STEM careers,β said MESA Executive Director Thomas Ahn.
βOur students represent the skills, passion and potential that California desperately needs to enrich our workforce and strengthen our communities. MESA students are among Californiaβs most precious resources for diverse talent in the STEM fields.β
βThe MESA/STEM Center at ΒιΆΉΣ³» has some of the brightest and hardest-working students in the community college system, with very busy schedules,β said Rene Rubio, NVC MESA/STEM Center student affairs specialist. βIt was an honor to have Luz and Jorge represent our NVC MESA Program at this statewide MESA Conference.β
βMy first thought when I arrived at the conference was that I was nervous and didnβt know what to expect. I hardly talked to my teammates,β shared Alejandre-Martinez. βOver time, we started gaining confidence in each other, started to meet everyone and hear their stories. Iβm glad I went. Itβs something that will motivate me as a student and a professional in the future.β
βThis conference taught me collaboration and communication skills that are extremely valuable to me, especially while inching towards a post-pandemic life,β added Robles. βWhen working on a group project, I learned how to collaborate efficiently with the designation of roles, active listening, compromise and the facilitation of ideas to keep the project cohesive. This conference didnβt just teach me to have confidence in myself, but also in my STEM community! After attending this event, I knew that our generation was on its way to change the world.β
Unlike job fairs or speaker-only conferences, MESA student attendees had the unique opportunity to interact one-on-one and in small groups with company executives, engineers and recruiters. Students participated in mock interviews, communications, team building, emotional intelligence and financial literacy workshops. The conference is an opportunity for STEM students to develop βsoft skillsβ necessary to successfully transition from college to professional careers.
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) has a 51-year history of changing the face of science, technology and engineering by developing a new generation of STEM leaders. Now with a network of more than 250,000 alumni, MESA fuels diversity by propelling historically underrepresented students toward STEM degrees and professional careers.
Each year MESA serves over 20,000 students at the pre-college, community college and university levels across California. We bridge classroom learning with real-world applications, and employ rigorous academics, leadership preparation, a peer community and collaborative problem-solving training to produce highly-skilled college graduates who meet 21st century STEM workforce needs. The White House, the Ford Foundation, and the Silicon Valley Education Foundation have all recognized MESA for its innovative and effective academic development model. Find more information about the .
About ΒιΆΉΣ³» (NVC) MESA/STEM Center
The ΒιΆΉΣ³» (NVC) MESA/STEM Center serves as a hub for our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students.
Our Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program is the heart of our MESA/STEM
Center. It was established on our campus in the fall of 1999 to serve educationally
underrepresented students and encourages them through a wide range of services to
develop the necessary academic and leadership skills to successfully transfer and
later graduate from a four-year university with a degree in mathematics, engineering,
science or computer science.
About ΒιΆΉΣ³»
ΒιΆΉΣ³» prepares students for evolving roles in a diverse, dynamic, and
interdependent world. The college is an accredited open-access, degree- and certificate-granting
institution that is committed to student achievement through high-quality programs
and services that are continuously evaluated and improved. The college serves students
and the community in the following areas: transfer courses, career-technical education
and training, basic skills, and self-supporting contract education and community education
classes. ΒιΆΉΣ³» is located at 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway in Napa. Learn more at .
Recent Articles
- Moving day: ΒιΆΉΣ³» welcomes students to new on-campus housing complex
- Graduate emphasizes importance of βshowing upβ
- Graduate praises college as a place of βfertile groundβ
- Future Winemaker Launches Career at NVC
- ΒιΆΉΣ³» graduation features State Sen. Bill Dodd
- Transfer Student Finds His Path in Science and Technology
- ΒιΆΉΣ³» Breaks Ground on Wine Spectator Wine Education Center
Related Articles
ΒιΆΉΣ³» Writers' Conference
Intimate Writing Workshops with a Focus on Craft