The K-12 STEM Center develops strategies and builds initiatives to meet the needs of a diverse population, specifically in efforts to increase the representation of female students and African American/Black, Hispanic/LatinX/Latine, Native/Indigenous students in its STEM programs, such as MESA. Some of those efforts include outreach, mentorship, and scholarships. However, all STEM Center programs are open to all students in compliance with Federal and State law, as well as University policy.
MESA College Prep at the University of Southern California is part of a statewide program that partners with local middle and high schools to propel student diversity and achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The MESA Statewide program provides a pathway of academic services from middle school through university level to broaden the diversity of students who graduate with degrees in STEM.
College prep activities at USC include hands-on STEM activities, MESA Day projects and competitions, Catalina Island STEM Exploration, STEM field trips, Student Leadership Retreat, college and career preparation, MESA Day Project Academies, annual Awards Gala, robotics competitions, MESA advisor/teacher trainings, and parent/family empowerment and information sessions.
For over 45 years, USC MESA has served more than 15,000 middle and high school students. Each year, more than 98% of USC MESA graduating seniors attend two-year and four-year colleges and more than 60% of these students declare majors in STEM fields. USC MESA currently serves over 30 schools, 1,200 middle and high school students and over 35 teachers.
USC MESA Staff
Ben Louie, Director, blouie@usc.edu
Anne Areta, Program Coordinator, aareta@usc.edu (Recruitment and Retention, NSBE Jr. and SHPE Jr. Chapters, Assessment and Evaluation, Catalina Island, Summer Program)
Jennifer Corletto, Program Coordinator, jennifer.corletto@usc.edu (on maternity leave)
Alfredo Morales, Program Coordinator, alfredmo@usc.edu (Alumni Engagement, Student Academic Development, Student College Readiness, Summer Program)
Graduate Assistants
Princeton Brooke, princeton.brooke@usc.edu
Ricardo Rendon, rendondu@usc.edu
Undergraduate Assistants
Thank you to our Sponsors
USC MESA Celebrates 24 Years of Partnership with Panda Express to Promote the Spirit of Giving and Caring.
The Annual MESA Senior Gala is made possible by the USC Civic Engagement Galen Center Community Program.
We thank the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for being the sponsor of MESA Family Day.
Published on January 11th, 2017
Last updated on February 15th, 2024