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MESA at the University of Southern California is part of a statewide program that serves educationally and economically disadvantaged students and, to the extent possible by law, emphasizes participation by students from groups with low rates of eligibility for four-year colleges. MESA provides a pipeline of academic services from middle school through university level to increase the number of these students who graduate with degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). College prep activities at USC include 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, and parent empowerment and information sessions.
For over 40 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 66% of these students declare majors in STEM fields. USC MESA currently serves over 30 schools, 1,200 middle and high school students and 40 teachers.
MESA Staff
Ben Louie, Director, blouie@usc.edu
Alexandra Gutierrez, Academic Coordinator, ag63298@usc.edu
Graduate Assistants
Undergraduate Assistants
Melissa Alvarez, ma44387@usc.edu
Mariana Avendano, mavendan@usc.edu
MESA Menu
Thank you to our Sponsors
USC MESA Celebrates 22 Years of Partnership with Panda Express to Promote the Spirit of Giving and Caring.
The Annual MESA Awards 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.
USC MESA is a member of the STEM PUSH Network, an NSF alliance.
Published on January 11th, 2017
Last updated on November 29th, 2022