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Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Program
Perimeter College
Groups Served
Collegiate
Program Website
Visit the Program Website
Contact Information
Blum, Janna
jblum@gsu.edu
770-274-5046
Address
Clarkston, GA 30021
Building
Campus
Clarkston
Funding
State Funding
Overview
Since its inception at Perimeter College in 2006, the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program has been helping students achieve their academic goals in the STEM disciplines. MESA strives to diversify the pipeline of students coming into college to study STEM fields. MESA creates a community of faculty, staff and students who work to improve students’ access to STEM studies and their success in those studies by alleviating barriers that underrepresented students face during educational pursuits.
Benefits
The focus of MESA is to provide support and wrap-around services for first generation and/or students who have been traditionally under-represented in STEM disciplines. Perimeter College MESA students benefit from Academic Excellence Workshops (AEW); academic advising/counseling; assistance with the transfer process to a 4-year institution; career advising; summer research/internship opportunities; and, linkages with student and professional organizations. MESA Scholars also receive a participation support stipend which helps to offset some of the fees associated with their college-going experience..
Supplemental Materials
Discipline Focus
Computer & Information Sciences, Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics
Diversity Group ( Social Identity)
First Generation, Gender, Race/Ethnicity
Race/Ethnic Group
American Indian, Black, Gender, Hispanic/ Latinx groups, Multi-racial, Pacific Islander, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiians
Program, Initiative, Policy or Sponsored Award Category
Priority 1: Academic Initiative
Established
10/01/2006
Number Served
1001-1500
Research Components and Activities
Program sponsored (in-house) professional development sessions/ coursework (e.g., workshops, test preparation, mini-courses, specialized course, conference presentations, resume/cv building, tutoring, professional development etiquette), Specialized center, Student or faculty stipend/compensation
Additional Research Components, Roles and Responsibilities
The MESA Center is an academic-based center designed to help MESA Scholars excel in STEM by providing access to technology and opportunities for peer support and information-sharing.
Self-efficacy Emphasis
Academic Excellence Workshops (AEW); academic advising/counseling; assistance with the transfer process to a 4-year institution
Acknowledgement/Affirmation of Identity, Strengths, Needs
Career advising
Examples of Inclusionary Practices and Activities
Structured Dialogues and Interactions (e.g. lab discussions, one-on-one sessions, virtual dialogues), Creation of a Safe space/ climate/environment
Participant Empowerment
Feeder pathways (e.g. existing partnerships with programs at similar or next level of the academic pipeline), Mentoring opportunities
Mentoring Components
Mentors are peers of program participants (near-peer, tiered peer, etc.), Mentors provide support with academic or discipline specific knowledge through direct teaching, Mentors provide mentees with access to academic resources (e.g. precollegiate/collegiate/graduate/postdoc/ faculty training; standardized test preparation; writing workshops, research workshops, tenure and promotion information)
Opportunities to Privilege Voice
Evaluation Methods
annual performance report
Anticipated Participant Outcomes
attendance, completion of a course(s),increasing academic skill area (s),persisting through current degree program, moving to the next level of the pipeline (e.g. high school to college; college to grad school; grad school to post doc; graduate to faculty)
Program, Initiative, Policy or Sponsored Award Category
Priority 1: Academic Initiative
Established
10/01/2006
Number Served
1001-1500
Research Components and Activities
Program sponsored (in-house) professional development sessions/ coursework (e.g., workshops, test preparation, mini-courses, specialized course, conference presentations, resume/cv building, tutoring, professional development etiquette), Specialized center, Student or faculty stipend/compensation
Additional Research Components, Roles and Responsibilities
The MESA Center is an academic-based center designed to help MESA Scholars excel in STEM by providing access to technology and opportunities for peer support and information-sharing.
Please describe how your program addresses self-efficacy (one's beliefs in their own ability to execute behaviors necessary to perform) in its participants?
Academic Excellence Workshops (AEW); academic advising/counseling; assistance with the transfer process to a 4-year institution
How does your program acknowledge or affirm individuals’ different identities, strengths, or needs?
Career advising
Inclusionary practices/activities utilized in your program:
Structured Dialogues and Interactions (e.g. lab discussions, one-on-one sessions, virtual dialogues), Creation of a Safe space/ climate/environment
Participant Empowerment
Feeder pathways (e.g. existing partnerships with programs at similar or next level of the academic pipeline), Mentoring opportunities
Mentoring Components
Mentors are peers of program participants (near-peer, tiered peer, etc.), Mentors provide support with academic or discipline specific knowledge through direct teaching, Mentors provide mentees with access to academic resources (e.g. precollegiate/collegiate/graduate/postdoc/ faculty training; standardized test preparation; writing workshops, research workshops, tenure and promotion information)
Opportunities to Privilege Voice
Evaluation methods are used to substantiate the program’s outcomes:
annual performance report
Anticipated participant outcomes for your program:
attendance, completion of a course(s),increasing academic skill area (s),persisting through current degree program, moving to the next level of the pipeline (e.g. high school to college; college to grad school; grad school to post doc; graduate to faculty)