On Friday, February 20, 2026, Skyline College’s Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program welcomed students with an orientation designed to set them up for a successful semester ahead.
Students participated in an interactive icebreaker to get to know their peers before the MESA team shared the full scope of program benefits, from internship and research opportunities to leadership retreats, STEM conferences, and dedicated transfer support. Transferring MESA students shared their favorite things about MESA and tips for how to get the most out of MESA, including advice such as “sign up for everything you are able, and opportunities will come.” Students then fueled up with a taco lunch while MESA Academic Counselor Angela Serrano walked them through key strategies for thriving academically, including time management, study techniques, and guaranteed transfer pathways available to STEM majors.
The day continued as students joined the STEM Club Fair and Boba Social, organized in partnership with the STEM Center and Skyline College’s STEM Clubs. The lively event drew students from across STEM, with clubs on hand to connect with prospective members: the Google Developer Group, the Data Science Club, the Math Club, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the Physics and Astronomy Club (PAC), and the Engineering and Robotics Club (ERC). Students chatted with club leaders, discovered ongoing projects, and worked their way through a “passport” challenge — stopping at a minimum of three club tables to earn themselves a well-deserved boba drink.
MESA – Math, Engineering, Science Achievement – is an academic enrichment program that helps educationally underrepresented students excel in math and science and graduate from college with degrees in math-based fields. Founded in 1970, the MESA program serves pre-college, community college, and university students at over 90 sites throughout California. Skyline College’s MESA Program is part of the MESA California Community College Programs (MCCP). To learn more about MESA, please visit www.skylinecollege.edu/mesa or email skymesa@smccd.edu.
