Delivering California's Future STEM Workforce
MESA is a college and career prep engine that propels student achievement in science, technology, engineering and math.
What’s New?
California MESA Teams Sweep Nationals!
Congrats to the G.M. Walters Middle School and Middle College High School teams being named the 2025 MESA National Engineering Design Competition Champions! Both teams hail from the CSU East Bay MESA center! Learn about their award-winning (and life-changing) projects.
Who are We?
MESA serves students across the educational pathway through three complementary segments.
College Prep
MESA’s college prep program sparks early interest in STEM by bridging classroom concepts to real-world practice, and inspires youth on their STEM journey to higher education and their future success.
Community College
MESA’s community college level program produces a population of transfer-ready students to advance their STEM educational journeys in 4-year university programs.
University
MESA’s university-level program produces career-ready, candidates for corporate industry employment by providing the tools, resources and support they need to successfully earn STEM degrees.
MESA by the Numbers
Number of overall MESA students in California
MESA serves over 350 middle and high schools, 40 community colleges and 13 universities in California.
MESA students are more likely to be admitted to a UC (80% vs 67% for California students overall).
- 80%
- 67%
Top 5 Degrees of MESA Undergrad Students
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering
About Us
A grassroots effort that began with 25 students at Oakland Technical High School in 1970 has flourished into an award-winning program that serves almost 25,000 middle school, high school, community college and university level students throughout California each year. MESA’s long history with industry and its vast network of alumni are key components to success.
What People Are Saying
At that early stage, MESA helped solidify my interest in pursuing an engineering degree.
The program changed the way I studied, learned, and supported those around me. I never imagined I could ever reach as high as I have.
I learned a love for hands on math and science from MESA. I saw a diverse group that made me feel included and I had fun! I credit it as one of the main things that helped steer me towards a STEM degree and career.
MESA has truly supported me in many ways and is a program that goes above and beyond in helping me to succeed. Thank you MESA!
Our Partners
Industry leaders partner with us to strengthen their workforce pipeline with top-notch talent.
Each partnership is tailored to benefit individual companies.
Newsroom
Eyes on the State Prize
Winning teams from across California will vie for top bragging rights at the MESA National Engineering Design Competition State Championship in San Jose this weekend. This competition is the culmination of a year’s worth of learning, planning, designing,...
Astronaut, MESA alumna 2022 Ray Landis Impact Awardee
Katya Echazarreta is many things: electrical engineer, MESA alumna, science communicator, citizen astronaut, Vogue Mexico cover model. She'll add Ray Landis Impact Award winner to that list, which is given to a visionary in diversity and STEM education. Katya who...
Connecting Students with Industry to Launch STEM Careers
Highly visual event. Key times from 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Mission Valley Marriott, San Diego Press visuals opportunities: diverse engineering undergraduate students engaging with STEM industry professionals. Interactive workshops, mock interviews,...