MESA CAMPUS COUNCIL MEETING – December 3, 2015 – 10:00-11:00 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Yessica Ortiz Noriega, MESA Director Amy Bettinger, Student Services Assistant I – MESA Dan Kumpf, Dean of SCI/MATH Eva Gallardo, Financial Aid Specialist Paula Munoz, EOPS Coordinator Bill Hart, Title V Coordinator Ryan Petitfils, Math Instructor Misael Ramirez, Former MESA student Courtney Swink, MESA Fall Intern Diego Ruvalcaba, VC Chapter SHPE Vice-President Michelle Millea, Faculty Sponsor & Eng. Dept. Chair Jeffrey Wood, Physics Instructor

MEMBERS ABSENT: Marian Carrasco Nungaray, Transfer Center Counselor Corey Wendt, STEM Counselor Alma Rodriguez, Financial Aid Director Angelica Gonzalez, STEM Counselor Kristen Clark, Chemistry Instructor Maibe Banuelos, STEM Counselor in the MESA Center

INTRODUCTION

  • Yessica Ortiz Noriega opened the meeting with member introductions and hand-outs with MESA information from the summer and fall.
  • Yessica reviewed March 2015 meeting.

MESA Summary

As of today, we have 100 students in the program- the most in three years.

Yessica discussed MESA’s SLOs and SCOs. Michelle Millea suggested added emphasis on students following their Ed Plan

  • Yessica reviewed the requirements to enter the MESA program and the difference between MESA and ASEM.
  • Yessica explained the impact having a STEM Counselor (Maibe Banuelos) assigned to MESA has had on the program and its numbers. In one semester 45 students were able to complete MESA applications with an attached Educational Plan. In addition, 33% of MESA students completed their college applications this fall.
  • Amy Bettinger explained some of the changes made to the MESA application process that has helped with recruitment and retention in the program.
  • Yessica acknowledged Alma Rodriguez’s suggestion (from March meeting) to use Grades First for check in and tracking. This fall, MESA has had 1100 sign-ins, with daily high of 69 students.
  • There was discussion of the Male/Female ratio in MESA and in the low female representation in STEM fields in general. In addition, Paula Munoz brought up the concern of not enough students choosing a STEM major.
  • Yessica went over MESA Infographic and expressed appreciation for the collaboration on campus (FYE, Veterans, EOPS, General Counseling) that have brought more students to the programand helped her as MESA director
  • Diego Ruvalcaba and Misael Ramirez, current and past MESA students, each spoke about the value of MESA to them – specifically other students as support and mentoring.
  • Yessica reviewed the fall MESA student field trips and travel, and workshops.
  • Diego Ruvalcaba spoke about the SHPE Chapter on campus, and the support from the SHPE Professionals overall with opportunities and donation of $510 for the SHPE conference this year. This was an increase from $200 donation last year.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WORKSHOPS (AEWS)

Yessica discussed MESA Academic Excellence Workshops (AEWS) and some of the challenges in attendance and effectiveness.

  • Yessica reviewed her Student Equity Proposal which asked for Facilitator book stipends. Success in an AEW directly correlates with the commitment and qualifications of the assigned Facilitator.
  • Yessica also described the collaboration with instructors (Petitfils, Clark, and Millea) for the AEWssuccess this semester.

CONCERNS

  • Yessica shared her proposal for a MESA Retention Specialist in order to increase transfer numbers and to increase diversity in STEM majors
  • Staffing of the MESA Center continues to be a concern. The Student Services Assistant is 16 hours per week. Currently MESA is closed on Fridays due to staffing, which the students would like to see changed.
  • Yessica asked for all members to review her Student Equity proposal after the meeting and let her know if they have feedback.
  • The current MESA room is too small to accommodate more than 25 students at a time. In addition, there is no room for study groups.

OTHER

  • Bill Hart shared with members his proposal to get a STEM Center on campus.
  • Invitation to MESA’s Holiday Potluck which will bring families and current and former MESA students together to discuss success strategies to help STEM students at VC as they prepare to transfer.

NEXT MEETING

May, 2016