Our Mission

Our Vision

How Our Program Serves Students

MESA is an academic support program for students working towards a STEM degree at Laney College, with the intention of transferring to a four-year college or university. Our program provides comprehensive support geared toward student success, ensuring that each scholar engages in personal, academic and professional development, while pursuing an undergraduate degree. Ultimately, we hope to pave the way for students to enter STEM professions and, in turn, pave the way for students who follow in their footsteps.

Laney College’s MESA Program is part of a vast network across the state of California. Our community that has been in existence for over 40 years and includes MESA students in community colleges, universities, and professionals in industry.

Supportive community
Tutoring
Counseling
Workshops
Facilitated study groups
Dedicated MESA Center
Transfer and career preparation
Field trips and university visits
Scholarship resources
Professional networking opportunities

MESA Scholar

Be a Laney College student.
Be studying a calculus-based science, engineering, technology, or math major.
- Common majors include biology, chemistry, computer science, data science, environmental science, geology, mathematics, and all engineering majors.
Be a first-generation college student.
- Neither parent completed a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college in any country
Demonstrate financial need through ONE of the following:
- Receive financial aid: BOG, California Promise Grant, PELL grant, CA Dream Act, Federal Work Study, Cal Fresh, GI Bill, or other need-based financial aid
- EOPS, CARE, or CalWORKS participant
- Student, parent, or guardian is a TANF recipient
- Household income at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines
Have no previous bachelor’s degree.
Be a US Citizen, permanent resident, or AB 540.
Agree to participate in MESA Program activities and Sign Our Student Agreement.

If you do not meet the above requirements, you are invited to join the “Friends of MESA” cohort.

Friends of MESA

MESA Scholars

MESA Staff

Program Contacts
Name: Alyssa Arnold
Title: MESA Program Director
Contact: alyssaarnold@peralta.edu
How I Serve MESA: I provide strategic direction and oversight for the program to ensure that our staff create a warm, welcoming and empowering space for our students, so they feel a sense of belonging, competence and readiness that facilitates success at Laney and beyond. Additionally, I serve as the primary point of contact for the program and cultivate academic and professional partnerships to expand MESA’s network.

Name: Kyla Oh
Title: MESA Faculty Coordinator
Contact: koh@peralta.edu
How I Serve MESA: I focus on increasing Laney College’s program visibility and support student success in STEM. More specifically, I help promote the MESA program to faculty and students on campus, organize career events, identify and connect students with faculty mentors, and build industry connections.

Name: Mateo Lopez
Title: MESA Tutor (Engineering and Physics)
About Me: I am an Aerospace Engineering major, I love space, science, and learning about the universe. I like to play video games, play guitar, and go on hikes in the redwoods.

MESA Mentors

Our program pairs scholars with working professional mentors from various fields to provide students with an opportunity to gain valuable perspective as they explore academic and career options available to STEM graduates.

Mentor Expectations:

Mentoring assignments are for 1 academic year (August – June).
We request that mentors and mentees connect at least once a month throughout the academic year.
Mentors should plan to speak with their mentee via video conferencing, phone calls, or in person, as able.
We ask that mentors attend at least one MESA program networking event per year.
The approximate time commitment for the MESA mentor program is about 10-15 hours per academic year.

Support for mentors:

Each mentor will be provided with a document that details program guidelines, instructions and suggestions to assist with relationship building.

All mentors will be provided with conversation prompts to help facilitate conversation, if needed; however, mentors are welcome to approach discussion more organically.

MESA will host two mentor program events per academic year to support community building.

Reach out to

Alyssa Arnold
alyssaarnold@peralta.edu

Welcome Center

Assisting new and returning students navigate enrollment and access key student services. The Welcome Center provides support for setting up accounts, applying for financial aid, adding/dropping classes, and more.

Also offering information on student support services, scholarship opportunities, and photo ID services.

Go To Wellcome Center

Math Lab Tutoring Schedule

View our tutoring schedule to see which tutors are available for specific math subjects and language preferences. Connect with the support you need to succeed!

View Schedule