As MESA's 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Commander Victor Glover recently talked to more than 200 MESA undergrads about the importance of grit, overcoming self-doubt and the need to fuel diversity in STEM.
"The New Face of STEM? That's you guys -- it's all you. And from where I stand, you guys look great."
Each year MESA helps more than 25,000 students become the future leaders, engineers, scientists and other professionals California and the country needs.
MESA students are diverse and talented.
They will change the face of STEM.
Of MESA students:
- 86%: attend or attended high poverty schools
- 71%: attend or attended low-performing schools (API rank 1-5)
- 78%: are the first generation in their families to earn a degree
- 73%: are from historically under-represented ethnic groups
And they succeed
- 92% of MESA students go to college
- 64% of MESA pre-college student go to college in STEM majors
- 97% of MESA community college students transfer as STEM majors
Like so many MESA students, Victor's parents didn't earn college degrees. Yet encouragement from his 5th grade MESA teacher helped him thrive in math courses and believe he could be an engineer one day.
Later, as an undergrad at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, MESA was there again. He benefited from the MESA center on campus and tutored local MESA middle school students.
Now as a NASA astronaut he's proud that his NASA class is the first to be nearly half women.
"A lot of things are going in the right direction," he said.
Through all Victor's success he continues to be a champion for MESA.
Join us in creating the next generation of STEM professionals -- the New Face of STEM