WORKING HARD: Mike Lewis, 22, (Left) and Luke Case, 26, come to the M.E.S.A. computer lab because for them, "there are no other quiet spots on campus."
The MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement) program is a program that provides academic assistance to math, engineering and science majors.
To be eligible for MESA students must be majoring in math, engineering and science. Other requirements are, students must qualify for financial aid, planning to transfer to a four-year university and must have completed or be currently enrolled in math 82.Upon joining MESA students receive many academic benefits. "We provide support services, in the form of a book loan program, a calculator loan program, [we] provide university tours, we have guest speakers who are in the field of math or science," said MESA coordinator Eloisa Millan of the program.
Students also have access to a study center with internet access and software that is specific to their major.
Other benefits include transfer assistance, academic guidance tutoring, scholarship opportunities and internship opportunities, "We make sure they see a counselor so they're on track for transferring" said Millan.
Students in the program also have the opportunity to meet one another and create study groups. "They become really good friends and they encourage each other, " said Millan of the students.
MESA also encourages its students to become involved in the community because it will benefit them through scholarship opportunities.
At the end of each year MESA holds a banquet to honor students with a certificate of completion.