On Friday, May 1st, MESA students from Skyline College joined peers from College of San Mateo, Mission College, San José City College, and visiting community colleges from Orange County for a field trip to Stanford University’s Community College Outreach Program (CCOP) Spring Symposium. The event brought together students from across California for a full day of lab tours, career conversations, and networking centered on research opportunities and mentorship in STEM.
CCOP offers paid, 10-week research internships at Stanford for Bay Area community college students, helping bridge the gap between community colleges and leading research institutions. According to the program, CCOP “provides community college students with their first hands-on research experience… as they explore scientific fields, develop technical skills, and build confidence through mentorship from Stanford trainees and faculty.”
The day began with small-group lab tours across the Stanford campus. Students visited labs conducting research in cell polarity, developmental biology, cancer cells, and engineering, getting an up-close look at the kinds of questions scientists are actively working to answer and the techniques they use to pursue them. Led by Stanford PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and current CCOP interns, the tours offered a window into what life as a researcher actually looks like.
Next, students gathered in the Lokey Stem Cell Research Building for a career panel and lunch. Panelists represented a wide range of pathways—from current and former PhD students to medical school graduates to current Stanford undergraduate transfer students and former CCOP interns who went on to other four-year universities. All panelists began their journeys at California Community Colleges, making for a deeply relatable and inspiring conversation.
In the afternoon, students attended research talks from current Spring CCOP interns, who walked the audience through their projects, findings, and future directions. Their presentations highlighted the depth and rigor of the program while motivating peers to pursue similar opportunities. The day offered a powerful glimpse into academic research and the many pathways that can follow a community college education.
Upcoming Opportunities Through CCOP
CCOP has two programs with upcoming application deadlines:
Career Development & Transfer Preparation Bootcamp — Applications Close July 1, 2026
This six-week summer program is designed to help community college students prepare for transfer and careers in science. Each week, students attend a one-hour online workshop covering topics like building a CV or resume, writing personal statements, applying for scholarships, and navigating the transfer process, with guest speakers and CCOP mentors leading the way. The second half of each session is dedicated to small-group mentorship with Stanford scientists, giving students personalized feedback on their transfer applications, personal statements, and other materials. All workshops and mentorship sessions take place over Zoom, making the program accessible regardless of where students are located. Students who complete all six weeks receive a certificate of completion and an invitation to visit Stanford for a final celebration with CCOP mentors, other summer program participants, and the Department of Developmental Biology. To apply, visit ccop.stanford.edu/bootcamp.
Fall 2026 CORE Internship — Applications Open in June, Close July 15, 2026
CORE (CCOP Opportunities in Research Engagement) is CCOP’s flagship 10-week paid research internship, placing community college students in Stanford labs each Spring, Summer, and Fall. Several Skyline College students will be participating in the Summer 2026 session this June through August, which a great sign of the growing connection between Skyline MESA and Stanford CCOP. The Fall session runs September through November, with a schedule designed around students’ classes at just 10 hours of in-person lab time per week. The Fall and Spring internships are only open to students at partner schools, giving Skyline students a greater change to be admitted. Students are treated as valued team members, learning how to conduct research alongside their lab mentor, participating in workshops on reading scientific papers and giving talks, and presenting their work at a research symposium at the end of the program. A stipend based on Stanford’s salary range is provided to support students’ financial needs. For more information, visit ccop.stanford.edu/core.
CCOP is looking for students new to research, who are curious, independent, and genuinely interested in science and research, and who have the time and openness to commit to the experience.
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 calculus-based fields. Founded in 1970, the MESA program serves pre-college, community college, and university students at over 100 sites throughout California. Skyline College’s MESA Program is part of the MESA California Community College Programs (MCCP). To learn more about or apply for the Skyline College MESA program, visit skylinecollege.edu/mesa or email skymesa@smccd.edu.
