STEM Student Learning and Success

Rafael Alvarez MESA Director San Diego City College

Raga Bakhiet, Ph.D. MESA Director Southwestern College

Theresa M. Garcia MESA Director San Diego State University

ANTHOLOGY

NASPA Western Regional Conference

San Diego, CA

November 16-19, 2011

Background – MESA Works! • Industry’s workforce crisis: Shortage of STEM professionals

• Science and math education challenge in California

MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) Model

& San Diego MESA Alliance

MESA & NSF STEP (STEM Talent Expansion Program):

Proven Interventions

• Academic Support & Social Integration

• Professional Development Activities

• Internships & Undergraduate Research

• Outcomes

http://mesa.ucop.edu/ (See ―MESA Video 2011‖)

The MESA mission is to enable educationally disadvantaged students to prepare for and graduate from a four-year college or university with a math-based degree while:

Developing academic and leadership skills

Increasing educational performance

Gaining confidence in their ability to

compete professionally

Established in California in 1970

Currently 68 MESA Programs statewide serve K-12,

community college and university students

Thirteen states have adopted MESA model

Recipient of Presidential Award for Excellence in

Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring

MESA Schools Program ~ 1,600 students San Diego Unified (K–12) – 800

Imperial Valley Unified (K–12) – 800

Community College ~ 365 students San Diego City College – 200

Southwestern College – 165

University ~ 320 students

MESA Engineering Program (MEP)

San Diego State University – 320

INDUSTRY

or Graduate School

The San Diego pipeline

Regular Directors’ meetings

Sharing of best practices

Joint planning

Shared Industry Advisory Board

Joint grant seeking

• NSF STEP: STEP Partnership of San Diego

• California Space Grant Consortium: STEM Outreach focused

on Research in the Control of Lagrangian Mixing in Fuel

Injector Flows into Supersonic Cross-Stream

Academic Advising and Individual Academic Plans

STEM Course Clustering

Academic Excellence Workshops

Tutoring

College and Career Exploration

Transfer Assistance to 4-year Universities (2-year colleges only)

Assistance Applying to Graduate Schools (4-year universities only)

College Orientation Course

Collaboration with Student/Professional Organizations

Training Academies for Industry Skills

Regional Job Shadow Day

Scholarships

StrengthsQuest

Leadership Summit

Faculty Advisors

STEM Competitions

San Diego Region Joint Planning Conference

Undergraduate students:

are encouraged to participate in summer research or internships

are matched, according to their interest and experience,

into an internship or research experience

are paid $1,250 during the summer for 100 hours

present their work at a symposium-luncheon culminating

the end of the summer experience

can continue their projects beyond the 100 hours

As important as

classroom teaching

Develop tomorrow’s STEM

workforce

Advisory Board

• Direct Access to students

• Paid Interns - SPSD

• Future hires

• Industry Standards

Standards:

University Bridging

Counseling

Academic Support

Community

Industry Exposure

STEP Partnership of San Diego (SPSD), 7/2008

MESAdvantage Student Report Card Year: ____________________

Student name: ___________________________________ School: ___________________

Notes: * Documentation available

Industry Based Standards - Student Activity Checklist Date

Completed Director

Eval

Un

iversit

y B

rid

gin

g

(Netw

ork

ing)

Participate in MESA Networking Events (e.g. Jr. Shadow Day, Transfer visits, Banquets, etc)

Research opportunities for educational advancement

Establish connection with prospective educational institutions (e.g. with student support services, with student clubs, or with a university advisor)

Enroll in a class (in major) at prospective transfer institution

Explore and participate in field or lab research opportunities

Take SAT or GRE (MCAT, DAT, etc) prep class and exam, apply to college or grad school

Other: ________________________________________________

Cou

nseli

ng Meet with counselor once per semester to review progress in major*

Complete semester by semester plan of classes required to transfer or to graduate*

Complete time management plan each semester*

Complete StrengthsQuest assessment Other: ________________________________________________

Acad

em

ic S

up

port

Complete MESA Orientation course/workshop/Saturday Academy*

Participate in Academic Excellence Workshops

Attend academic seminars

Compete in MESA competitions (e.g. MESA Days, MESA Olympics, Walk-on-Water, etc.)

Seek additional academic support (e.g. tutoring) Participate in Peer Mentoring

Serve as AEW Facilitator or MESA Tutor

Apply to at least one scholarship program each year* Other: ________________________________________________

Com

mu

nit

y

Participate in organized educational community service programs (e.g. MESA Days, Granger Event, etc.)

Participate in organized non-educational community service programs (food drives, clean-up San Diego, etc.)

Tutor/Mentor others Other: ________________________________________________

In

du

str

y E

xp

osu

re

Resume, Cover Letter and reference list*

Participate in Job or Mock or informational interviews*

Join a professional or student organization (e.g. NSBE, IEEE, PASE, SHPE, SWE, etc.)

Serve as student chapter officer

Attend Industry Training Academy

Attend Professional Development Seminar(s) and activity(ies)* (e.g. summit, interview skills, Science Opportunity Day, Joint Planning Conference-JPC, tours, etc.)

Research Companies* Job Shadow Industry professionals at work Obtain industry mentor

Obtain experience via internship or volunteerism Other: ________________________________________________

Director’s Evaluation: ________________________________________________________________________________

San Diego Alliance

____________________ Director signature

__________ Date

____________________ Student signature

Goal #1 Expand participation in

SPSD and MESA activities

Related Objective Enrollment at each partner institution will

increase by 10% each year of the program.

Progress-to-date

Objective has been met and surpassed. Overall,

enrollment in SPSD has increased from

443 students in 2007 to 684 in 2011.

This represents a total increase of 54%.

Goal #2 Improve the retention of

SPSD/MESA students

Related Objective

At least 350 students will be enrolled in

SPSD/MESA from declared major

through transfer or graduation.

Progress-to-date

Objective is 94% complete with 330 successful

SPSD transfers & graduates: 127 SDSU graduates,

107 SDCC transfers, and 96 SWC transfers

Goal #3 Increase the number of SPSD/MESA

students graduating with B.S. degrees

Related Objective At least 160 SPSD/MESA students will graduate

with a B.S. degree in a STEM major.

Progress-to-date

Objective is 79% complete with 127 graduates:

33 graduates in 2008, 20 in 2009,

34 in 2010, and 40 in 2011

Goal #4 Increase number of SPSD/MESA

students in STEM internships.

Related Objective At least 36 SPSD/MESA students will complete

an internship or research opportunity each year.

Progress-to-date

Objective has been met and surpassed:

39 interns in 2008, 46 in 2009,

48 in 2010, and 44 in 2011

Goal #5 Promote post-graduate study

opportunities for SPSD/MESA students

Related Objective

At least 15 graduating SPSD seniors will

enter STEM graduate study programs

by the end of the grant period.

Progress-to-date

Objective has been met and surpassed:

17 SPSD/MESA students have enrolled

in STEM graduate study.

Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation: America's Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads (2010 Report)

Identifies 5 proven, intensive strategies for student success in STEM

MESA/SPSD implements 3 of 5 strategies

SPSD II proposes to build on MESA/SPSD best practices and implement remaining 2 strategies (Summer Bridge & Mentoring) in the context of a STEM pipeline (high school-CC-4 year university)

Arturo Sotomayor — Mechanical Engineering major

Southwestern College, transferring in Fall 2012

Maria Charles — Industry Representative

Hamilton Sundstrand, B.S. Electrical Engineering

Alumna of San Diego City College and

San Diego State University

Angelica Rojas-Colin — Civil Engineering major

San Diego City College, transferring in Fall 2012

German Verduzco — Mechanical Engineering major

San Diego State University, transferred from

San Diego City College Spring 2011

San Diego Alliance

2011-2012 PROFILE

The San Diego MESA Alliance (SDMA) is a statewide model for effective collaboration between regional MESA programs. The SDMA creates a supported pipeline from pre-college, through community college, university and ultimately the technical workforce.

SDMA’s members represent several divisions of the California MESA program. One of the country’s most successful programs of its kind, Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) provides academic support for thousands of educationally disadvantaged students to excel in math and science and graduate with baccalaureate degrees in science, engineering, computer science and other math-based fields. MESA has been named one of the most innovative public programs in the nation by Innovations in American Government, a project of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and the Ford Foundation.

Among countless other awards, MESA has also earned the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science,

Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. Additionally, MESA was also featured in a half-hour national PBS documentary The Innovators: Designing the Future, as one of the solutions to developing the next generation of innovative engineers and scientists. The SDMA boasts a vital membership of 5 sister programs from three California MESA educational divisions:

MESA Schools Program (MSP)– San Diego

MESA Schools Program (MSP)– Imperial Valley MESA Community College Program (MCCP) - San Diego City College MESA Community College Program (MCCP) – Southwestern College MESA Engineering Program (MEP)– San Diego State University

The Mission is to have collaborative efforts toward the enhancement of the K-16 pipeline for MESA programs in San Diego County; ultimately graduating students in the fields of engineering and sciences at the community

college and university levels. The SDMA goals are to establish best practices, strategic partnerships, effective coordination of services, and development of core curriculum for MESA programs.

Collaboration is the operational theme. Member programs share in the planning of events and services for the benefit of students and industry partners. From its inception, the SDMA has enhanced the effectiveness of each member program and strengthened the MESA pipeline. Joint events are the norm, rather than the exception, including academic excellence workshop facilitator training, university transfer days, mentoring, tutoring, recruitment, outreach, industry nights, career fairs, and grant writing.

Imperial Valley MSP, SDSU MSP, San Diego City College and Southwestern College MESA programs are funded by Statewide MESA through the University of California and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. San Diego State University MEP is funded partially by the SDSU College of Engineering and local industry contributions.

SDMA enjoys strong support from industry because they not only recognize MESA’s success in producing

technical professionals needed by industry to stay competitive (in San Diego) but also because they see the collaborative efforts which produce alumni that continues to support the San Diego region. Corporations such as Sony, Hamilton Sundstrand, Northrop Grumman, Rick Engineering, Infrastructure Engineering Corporation and Sempra Energy have provided funding, in-kind contributions, scholarships, and internships to assist SDMA students. Corporate representatives serve on the SDMA Advisory Board.

Average Enrollment by Program

SDSU MSP - 800

Imperial Valley MSP - 800

San Diego City College MESA - 200

Southwestern College MESA – 160

SDSU MEP - 320

Contact Information: MESA Schools Program-Imperial Valley: Jeanette Espino 760 353-2860 X 21 MESA Schools Program-San Diego: Luis Topete 619-594-0299 MESA Community College Program-San Diego City College: Rafael Alvarez 619-388-3393 MESA Community College Program-Southwestern College: Raga Bakhiet, PhD 619-482-6381 MESA Engineering Program-SDSU: Theresa M. Garcia 619-594-5679

Contact Eric Pamintuan, SPSD Program Specialist, (619) 594-2680 or

epamintuan@projects.sdsu.edu for more information regarding this program.

STEP Partnership of San Diego (SPSD) STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP)

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM)

PROFILE

The National Science Foundation (NSF) selected San Diego MESA as a recipient of a $1.9 million dollar

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Talent Expansion Program (STEP) grant to support

the STEP Partnership of San Diego. Awarded to the college members of the San Diego MESA Alliance,

comprised of Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Programs at San Diego City College

(SDCC), San Diego State University (SDSU), and Southwestern College (SWC), this grant was one of only

22 awards from a pool of 174 submitted from across the United States in 2007. This is a five year grant to

be implemented from 2007 to 2012.

MESA enables educationally disadvantaged students to prepare for and graduate from a four-year college or

university with a math-based degree in areas such as engineering, the sciences, computer science, and

mathematics. The NSF STEP grant allows the San Diego MESA Alliance to build on MESA best practices to

develop a diverse skilled workforce for San Diego and the nation. In particular, the grant offers students new and

exciting activities to expand their horizons and their opportunities via:

Industry sponsored Training Academies ▪ Professional Development with industry partners

Summer Team Internships ▪ Scholarships

StrengthsQuest assessment and analysis ▪ Regional STEM Competitions

Faculty Advisors ▪ San Diego Region Joint Planning Conference

For example, summer team internships in leading science and engineering firms across San Diego county

provides students with opportunities to increase their knowledge and to develop skills for academic and

workplace success, and ultimately to become part of the region’s economic development.

SDCC MESA program alumnus, Jose L. Yvellez, graduated from SDSU (also in MEP) with a degree in

Electrical Engineering in 2006. He now works for a company which develops space hardware for satellite

applications and techniques that mitigate radiation effects. “I just want to express my sincere appreciation

for the commitment and support of the MESA program at City College”, said Yvellez. “Please keep aiding

future scientists to pursue their dreams. You indeed made a difference in my life”. Yvellez is now interested

in pursuing an MBA.

“This program is extremely important here in Southern California, because one of

our greatest competitive advantages is leadership in the STEM industries. The

STEP Partnership will help enhance this existing advantage and bring opportunity

to disadvantaged students. Those are values that we should all embrace!”

--Congressman Bob Filner

STEP Partnership of San Diego (SPSD), 6/2011

MESAdvantage Student Report Card Year: ____________________

Student name: ___________________________________ School: ___________________

Notes: * Documentation required (Participation in MEP/MSP/SPSD sponsored events are weighted higher)

Industry Based Standards - Student Activity Checklist Date

Completed Director

Eval

Un

ivers

ity

Bri

dg

ing

(Net

wo

rkin

g)

Participate in MESA Networking Events (e.g. Jr. Shadow Day, Transfer visits, Banquets, etc)

Research opportunities for educational advancement

Establish connection with prospective educational institutions (e.g. with student support services, with student clubs, or with a university advisor)

Enroll in a class (in major) at prospective transfer institution

Explore and participate in field or lab research opportunities

Take SAT or GRE (MCAT, DAT, etc) prep class and exam, apply to college or grad school

Other: ________________________________________________

Cou

nse

lin

g Meet with counselor once per semester to review progress in major*

Complete semester by semester plan of classes required to transfer or to graduate*

Complete time management plan each semester*

Complete StrengthsQuest assessment Other: ________________________________________________

Aca

dem

ic S

up

port

Complete MESA Orientation course/workshop/Saturday Academy*

Participate in Academic Excellence Workshops

Attend academic seminars

Compete in MESA competitions (e.g. MESA Days, MESA Olympics, Walk-on-Water, etc.)

Seek additional academic support (e.g. tutoring) Participate in Peer Mentoring

Serve as AEW Facilitator or MESA Tutor

Apply to at least one scholarship program each year* Other: ________________________________________________

Com

mu

nit

y Participate in organized educational community service programs (e.g. MESA Days, Granger

Event, etc.)

Participate in organized non-educational community service programs (food drives, clean-up

San Diego, etc.)

Tutor/Mentor others Other: ________________________________________________

Ind

ust

ry E

xp

osu

re

Resume, Cover Letter and reference list*

Participate in Job or Mock or informational interviews*

Join a professional or student organization (e.g. NSBE, IEEE, PASE, SHPE, SWE, etc.)

Serve as student chapter officer

Attend Industry Training Academy

Attend Professional Development Seminar(s) and activity(ies)* (e.g. summit, interview

skills, Science Opportunity Day, Joint Planning Conference-JPC, tours, etc.)

Research Companies* Job Shadow Industry professionals at work Obtain industry mentor

Obtain experience via internship or volunteerism Other: ________________________________________________

Director’s Evaluation: ________________________________________________________________________________

San Diego Alliance

____________________ Director signature

__________ Date

____________________ Student signature