USC MESA
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 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 help students achieve success in STEM studies and careers.
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, 1,300 middle and high school students and over 40 teachers.
Our Team
Professional Staff
Ben Louie
Director, blouie@usc.edu
Anne Areta
Program Coordinator, aareta@usc.edu
(Alumni Engagement, Recruitment and Retention, Assessment and Evaluation, Catalina Island, Summer Programs)
Jennifer Corletto
Program Coordinator, jennifer.corletto@usc.edu
(Advisor/Teacher Training and PD, MESA Family Initiatives, Social Media, Summer Programs)
Student Staff
Alejandro Arteaga
Graduate Assistant, ajarteag@usc.edu
Princeton Brooke
Graduate Assistant, princeton.brooke@usc.edu
Melissa Alvarez
Undergraduate Student Assistant, ma44387@usc.edu
Christopher Garcia
Undergraduate Student Assistant, garciacd@usc.edu
Elaine McNeil
Undergraduate Student Assistant, emmcneil@usc.edu
Julie Menendez
Undergraduate Student Assistant, jmenende@usc.edu
Emily Santos,
Undergraduate Student Assistant, santossa@usc.edu



