MESA: California s STEM Transfer Equity Model. Dr. Carl Farmer MESA Director College of the Desert

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1 MESA: California s STEM Transfer Equity Model Dr. Carl Farmer MESA Director College of the Desert

2 Overview of Presentation Why is it important to support STEM majors Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA Program) What is it? A (very) brief history Program Components Coordination with Student Equity Plan SB 860 Examples Recommendations

3 STEM Employment Outlook * Regional Trends Region 2014 Jobs 2024 Jobs Change % Change Region 1,080,372 1,287, , % Nation 7,683,435 8,897,839 1,214, % * Source: Economic Modeling Specialist International, 2016

4 What is MESA? Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) provides educationally and economically disadvantaged students with the skills and resources to be successful in school and career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. MESA Schools Program The MESA Schools Program fosters early interest in math and science and prepares California middle and high school students for college in STEM majors. Math or science teachers at MESA schools gain specialized training through 21 MESA centers throughout the state. MESA Community College Program - The MESA Community College Program supports community college students to successfully transfer to four-year institutions in STEM majors. There are 33 MESA community college centers across California. MESA Engineering Program - The MESA Engineering Program helps students at four-year universities attain engineering or computer science baccalaureate degrees. MESA serves college students at 13 universities in California.

5 A Brief History of MESA The MESA program is founded by Mary Perry Smith and others at Oakland Technical High School with 25 students. MESA s goal is to increase the number of African American, Latino American and American Indian graduates from a four-year university The state legislature allocates $489,000 in Proposition 98 monies to expand MESA into community colleges. A formal MESA Community College Program (MCCP) is established. (10 programs) MESA adopts a new targeting statement: MESA serves educationally disadvantaged students and, to the extent possible by law, emphasizes participation by students from groups with low rates of eligibility for four-year colleges MESA CCCP expands to 35 programs, near the current level of participation funded through CCCCO and UCOP. By 2003, programs funded through UCOP were defunded and some were moved to CCCCO funding California MESA is named a national semifinalist by Excelencia in Education (a national organization that identifies and assesses higher education practices that impact Latinos) for its outstanding community college work. MESA s state funding through the CCCCO is cut by 38%, affecting all MCCP centers. A funding cut that has not been restored to this day.

6 Student Eligibility for MESA Student qualify for MESA by fulfilling requirements in three categories Academic STEM major Planning on transferring Must be in beginning Algebra or above Must complete an educational plan that leads to transfer Financial Need Board of Governor Waiver Receive need based financial aid Educational Need First Generation college student Started at or below Introductory algebra Attended a low performing high school If a student has a demonstrated Achievement in a Science, Engineering, or Mathematics (ASEM) major and the intent to transfer to a four-year college or university but does not fully meet all of the MESA eligibility criteria, they are to be reported as an ASEM student if they are associated with the campus MESA Center.

7 Community College MESA Program Components Full-time Program Director and Clerical Support MESA Center Clustering students is courses Student Support and Tutoring Academic Counseling Academic Excellence Workshops Orientation to MESA Professional Development for Director/Staff Outreach and Recruitment of students Campus Council Student organizations Liaisons with four-year institutions Business and Industry Council

8 MESA Center Provide a dedicated, MESA Center/meeting space for MESA students Serve as a place for individual quiet time and group study, tutorial services, Gathering area/lounge and a location to house student lockers Located in or near the math, engineering, and/or science areas and must be designated for MESA students Academic Excellence Workshops Workshops offered in math, engineering, chemistry, physics and other sciences, following the MESA Community College model.

9 Student Support and Tutoring Tutorial services are available in the following areas: mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering, and computer science. The MESA Director acts as a coordinator who assists students with the information on student study groups and monitors their progress. Personal advising is available to assist students with transitional, nonacademic problems that may impact academic performance. Assistance is offered to students regarding four year college and university applications for admission and completion of financial aid forms. Leadership, and other skills development training is offered both at the local and regional level.

10 Academic Counseling Provide each MESA student with a complete Student Educational Plan that is designed to minimize the amount of time necessary for students to transfer and complete their degree. Meet with students at least once each semester to monitor progress and update academic plans if necessary, Establish an early alert system that identifies MESA students who are experiencing academic difficulty. Coordinate efforts to facilitate community college MESA student transfers to four-year colleges and universities

11 Student Organizations Establish a MESA student club on campus Establish other campus clubs that are STEM discipline based Provide opportunities for students to become student members of professional organizations Establish connections with professional organizations that serve students underrepresented in engineering and the sciences such as SACNAS Build Relationships with Four-Year Institutions Establish Relationships to provide opportunities for CC students Makes transfer easier and helps provide a sense of belonging upon transfer Creates Funding opportunities through grants

12 Orientation to MESA Catalog Course Description This course serves as an introduction to the MESA Program while at the same time help the students learn about themselves and applying this to becoming a successful student. The format of this course is entirely online and will require you to carry out activities each remaining week of the semester. Students are required to submit the following materials: Completed four-year educational plan that includes your community college courses and those you need after you transfer. StrengthsQuest assessment results that would include a printout of your Strengths with the short accompanying description. Study skills and Learning type assessments Career Research Results Internship/Scholarship information Personal statement Sample cover letter Resume Bold items are considered critical

13 Additional Components of MESA One of important attributes of MESA is that although there are specific activities as described, many of the programs have included additional activities to better serve the students. Examples of these are: Develop grants individually or in partnership with four-year institutions to provide students with Scholarship while at CC s and 4Y s. Develop grants individually or in partnership with four-year institutions to provide students with internship opportunities. Collaborate with four-year institutions to help transferring students receive opportunities to work in a research lab upon transfer. Encourage the development of courses at CC s that are specific to the needs of STEM majors preparing to transfer to 4Y schools, e.g, application to summer internships, introduction to undergraduate research experience, application and preparation to 4Y schools.

14 Coordination with Student Equity Program Budget Trailer Bill (SB 860) Student Success and Support Program: Student Equity Sec. 6. Article 1.5. Student Equity Plans (3) Whether significant underrepresentation is found.. and a means, of coordinating with, at a minimum, the following student equity-related categorical programs or campus-based programs: (A) Students with disabilities (B) Extended Opportunity Programs and Services and Special Services (C) Funds for Student Success (MESA, Puente, MCHS) (D) Student Success and Support Program (E)

15 Coordination with Student Equity Program Year 1- There was little coordination between MESA and SEP. There was reference to this type of activity in the original bill, it was interpreted mostly as participation on the committee. Year 2 -The changes due to SB 860 have dramatically increased the interaction between the MESA Programs and the SEP. It has included as well greater participation on the planning committee. A request for information from the 33 MESA Programs provided the following information (19 responded) 5 MESA Directors serve on the SSSP Committee 12 MESA Directors serve on the SEP Committee 16 MESA programs or their campus STEM collaborators receive funding from SEP (examples to follow)

16 Coordination with Student Equity Program College of the Desert MESA Director serves on both the SSSP and SEP Committees As part of the Student Equity Plan submitted to the Chancellor s Office $35000, half-time STEM Counselor $10000 pre-semester intervention for math classes that historically has demonstrated a disproportionate impact* $8000 for faculty led problem solving sessions** Extend MESA hours by hiring an ISA for evening *Trignonmetry and PreCalculus course completion rates were more than 10% lower for Hispanic students. These are STEM feeder courses taken by many of our STEM majors. **Implemented during Spring 2016 for the first time.

17 Coordination with Student Equity Program School Support American River Cabrillo Chabot College of Sequoias* $10000 tutoring $40000 per year to increase services to all MESA and STEM students, longer Hours, drop-in tutoring, workshops, 30% Instruction Lab Assistant $222000, to the STEM Program (co-located with MESA) Full-time STEM Center Equity Director Faculty Inquiry Group for Equity for STEM Full Time ISA to work in the STEM Center Summer Math Jams for placement adjustment STEM First Year Experience good recruiting tool for MESA $2000 for campus visits, Leadership retreats and professional conferences $7000 for disproportionately impacted students. SSSP funding for books and personnel *programs currently not funded by Chancellor s Office but adhering to the MESA guidelines.

18 Coordination with Student Equity Program School Support College of the Canyons $8000 for Fall (MESA Counselor) and $20000 for (MESA Discretion) tutors, counselors, in-state travel, facilitators, student staff Gavilan Chair of Equity Committee Los Medanos Mission Napa Rio Hondo Funding for books, tutoring, campus visits, soon will hire a program specialist S59000 MESA Counselor, tenure-track permanent (Remaining funds from MESA grant and general fund) $18000 supplies and activities (one-time) $6000 tutors (one time) $5100 Southern CA College tour (pays half) $19,050 Tutoring, Outreach materials, Conferences, and Travel $30000 to open AEW s to all students

19 Coordination with Student Equity Program School Santa Ana Santa Rosa Woodland Yuba* Support $30000 for student travel/ hands on summer research $7000 Leadership Conferences $8000 Hands-on research development activities $7000 one time direct student support $75000 ongoing MESA Program Specialist new classified support person $22000 MESA Retention Counselor $41348 contribution toward MESA Directors Salary Co-Chair Equity Committee $10000 travel and tutoring *programs currently not funded by Chancellor s Office but adhering to the MESA guidelines.

20 Recommendations Reviewing the coordination of the Campus Student Equity Plans with MESA Programs throughout the State shows that there is a lot of Inequity! So what can be done? Restoration of MESA Program Funds to 2008 levels would help all programs. The required coordination specified by SB860 can be more clearly defined and/or described. Designate a minimum percentage of Student Equity funds to be used to support designated student equity-related categorical programs or campus-based programs.