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 logo

What we offer

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.

Provide student academic development in STEM through authentic and hands-on activities, projects, and competitions, academic support, student leadership development, and summer programs.

Provide college and STEM career preparation through college and career sessions, college information and advisement, guest speakers, mentoring, and internships.

Provide teacher professional development through planning retreats, monthly meetings, summer teacher conferences in STEM, and regional collaborative seminars and workshops in STEM.

Provide parent and family education and involvement opportunities through orientation, family nights, and empowerment and information sessions.
USC MESA Showcase Video

Find out why you should join MESA
Be part of the MESA Family! (In Spanish)

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

USC MESA Celebrates 24 Years of Partnership with Panda Express to Promote the Spirit of Giving and Caring.

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The Annual MESA Senior Gala is made possible by the USC Civic Engagement Galen Center Community Program.

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We thank the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for being the sponsor of MESA Family Day.

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HMSA Student testimonial
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Our Sponsors

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Connect with us!

Published on October 3rd, 2024Last updated on February 6th, 2025