The Butte College MESA program is dedicated to supporting and increasing the number of under-represented and educationally/economically disadvantaged students obtaining degrees in the calculus-based fields of mathematics, engineering and the sciences.
The program is based on a rigorous academic plan that uses various components to guide and support students majoring in many technical fields. The program’s components help build an academically-based peer community to provide mutual student support and motivation. MESA forges a community of learners based upon academic achievement and acts as a bridge to aid students in making successful transitions in their educational pursuits. Program components have included: Student Center, Academic Excellence Workshops, Professional Development Workshops, SEP and Transfer Counseling, Career Advising, On-Campus Applied Internship Projects, Professional and Leadership Conferences, Industry and University tours, EDUC 10 and Study skills counseling. The MESA support staff consists of a full-time Faculty/Director and a 50% time dedicated permanent Special Programs Clerk.
MESA Retention Specialist
The Retention Specialist Position was not able to complete all the official steps before the semester ended.
MESA Student Leadership Retreat Travel
Students who participated in the three day Leadership Retreat had the opportunity to: network with STEM professionals and MESA students from across the state. They participated in activities connected to their field of study,as well as, mentorship and leadership activties. In addition, they were hosted on a tour of UC Santa Cruz.
1. Students will be surveyed to assess study skills and professional
development needs annually.2.Results will be utilized in the planning and implementation of activities for the
academic year.
MESA Transfer Information AY 14/15: 18 students = 23% of qualified MESA students.
The program is based on a rigorous academic plan that uses various components to guide and support students majoring in many technical fields. The program’s components help build an academically-based peer community to provide mutual student support and motivation. MESA forges a community of learners based upon academic achievement and acts as a bridge to aid students in making successful transitions in their educational pursuits.
Program components have included: Student Center, Academic Excellence Workshops, Professional Development Workshops, SEP and Transfer Counseling, Career Advising, On-Campus Applied Internship Projects, Professional and Leadership Conferences, Industry and University tours, EDUC 10 and Study skills counseling. The MESA support staff consists of a full-time Faculty/Director and a 50% time dedicated permanent Special Programs Clerk.
The MESA Program was successful in receiving additional funding for travel, intern stipends, and a MESA Retention Specialist for the 2015-16 AY, totaling over $38,000. The focus of both proposals was to provide resources to student's via a Retention Specialist as well as, access to professional and leadership conference for students on the dash boards in order increase transfer rates.
Some examples of events and activities implemented that support the Strategic Direction to improve access, success, and completion for students on the dash board (low income, latino, african american, native amerian) included: Student Success Forum, STEM courses tutoring and formal study groups, professional development training for interns, SEP and transfer counseling, Five MESA on-campus applied internship projects, participation in national professional and leadership conferences, industry and university tours, EDUC 10 and study skills workshops, Dinner with A Scientist, and MESATalk.
The MESA Program does not conduct a Program Review.
it is not linkedto anything. simply to inform what our strategies should be/ will be'
Strategy 1 - Faculty Support
Identify key faculty to assist the program participants in the development and implementation of specific student success components, such as the Academic Excellence Workshops, and professional and leadership conference travel.
There is a continued need to identify key faculty as well as leaders within the program participants to assist in the development and implementation of specific student success components, such as the Academic Excellence Workshops. As well as, to provide support for the ongoing professional and leadership conference travel.
Strategy 2 - Collaborative Student Success Strategies
There is a need to identify funding resources in order to implement collaborative cross-discipline activities such as MESATalk, Dinner with a Scientist, and the MESA Leadership Symposium.
These activities involve students, staff, faculty and community STEM professionals. They are designed with the intent to strengthen student leadership and professional skills as well as to create mentorship opportunities.
Strategy 3 - Internship Incentives
There is a need to continue to prioritize the implementation of on-campus applied research internships opportunities for MESA students, as well as, to explore and create internship opportunities in the local community. In addition, to identify funding resources for intern incentives, such as stipends, bookstore vouchers, etc., as well as, funding for project supplies and materials needed for implementation.
The MESA Students participating in the applied research internship projects will increase teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills as well as faculty and community STEM professional mentorship. The incentives provide the possibility of increasing parcticipation (students are low-income and many work) in these high-impact activitiies ultimately, to increase persistence, transfer-ready, and transfer rates.
Strategy 4 - Essential Personnel
MESA is in need of a full-time professional clerical staff member. Having full-time clerical assistance would impact the recruitment, and retention of students, as well as, consistency of services offered to students. An immediate solution is a request to the District that resources be allocated to fund the current half-time Special Programs Clerk position, who is already employed on campus in another department half-time. The total MESA Program budget allocated from the Chancellor's Office Student Success Funds is $50,500. The cost to fund the Special Programs Clerk's position with benefits for 2015-2016 is $34,634 (this cost increases every year). This leave $15,866 to fulfill all the objectives of the Grant and provide services to students. 69% of the Grant is being used to fund the required assistant. These are funds that instead, could be used immediately, to implement student success strategies applied directly to students.
Having full-time clerical assistance would impact the recruitment, and retention of students, as well as, consistency of services offered to students. An immediate solution is a request to the District that resources be allocated to fund the current half-time Special Programs Clerk position, who is already employed on campus in another department half-time. The total MESA Program budget allocated from the Chancellor's Office Student Success Funds is $50,500. The cost to fund the Special Programs Clerk's position with benefits for 2015-2016 is $34,634 (this cost increases every year). This leave $15,866 to fulfill all the objectives of the Grant and provide services to students. 69% of the Grant is being used to fund the required assistant. These are funds that instead, could be used immediately, to implement student success strategies applied directly to students.
Strategy 5 - MESA STEM Advisor
There is a need to identify advisor who is able to develop Student Educational Plans (SEPs) specifically for MESA students as a cohort.
Due to high unit major requirements, general education modifications, class impaction, the increasing cost of education as well as the changes in financial aid eligibility a dedicated advisor would provide the consistent guidance necessary to assist MESA students to maximize each semester and to complete transfer requirements as timely as possible.
Strategy 6 - Student Professional Development Activities
It is essential to Identify and implement stategies that expand the knowledge and resources available to student in a broader spectrum.
Increasing the number of students able to participate in professional and leadership conferences, campus and industry/company tours will have a positive impact on course completion and transfer rates.
Strategy 7 - Retention Specialist
A Retention Specialist would assist in activities that promote campus outreach, professional development activities and events, tutoring and study groups, internships and scholarships, etc.
In order to increase direct support to students it is essential to hire knowledgeable personnel to assist in implementing and expanding student success strategies that lead to course completion, degree completion, and transfer. With the addition of Retention Specialist to the MESA Program staff, the MESA Director would have more time to capatilize on her experience in developing student success programs and activities, expand collaborations between STEM faculty and Community STEM professionals for the benefit of MESA students, as well as seek additional sources of funding to assist in the implementation of student success strategy on a larger scale.
classroom space - review MESA Grant requirements: space per student
Butte College MESA receives $50,500 in funding via Student Success Funds from the University Chancellor’s Office of the President for the 2015 -2016 academic year. This amount represents a total of 38% reduction which has been in place for the past seven years. In addition, the grant requires the Program to have a clerical assistant but does not allow the required funds to maintain a full-time position. Currently $34,634 of the $50,500 is designated for a half-time clerical. this leaves $15,646 (21%) to implement direct student success strategies and fulfill the program requirements. The Program’s goal is to serve 100 students during the year. During the 14/15 MESA served 94.
While the Program has received additional funding for specific purposes for the 15/16 AY, from Student Equity Funds, there are no other ongoing revenue sources.
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | MESA | Personnel | 2.237.619.1.090100 | 51390 | $0.00 | $49,312.00 |
| MESA STEM Adviser - 50% | There is a need for a MESA STEM Adviser who is able to develop Student Educational Plans (SEP) specifically for MESA students as a cohort. Due to high unit major requirements, general education modifications, impacted courses, course sequencing, A.S. requirements, the increasing cost of education as well as the changes in financial aid eligibility a dedicated adviser would provide the consistent guidance necessary to assist MESA students to maximize each semester and to complete transfer requirements as timely as possible. |
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| 2 | MESA | Personnel | 12.237.619.1.090100 | 52120 | $0.00 | $34,350.00 |
| Special Programs Clerk | Providing a minimum of a half-time assistant is a requirement of the MESA Program Grant. The total MESA Program budget allocation from the Chancellor's Office Student Success Funds is $50,500. The funds required to fund the Special Programs Clerk's position with benefits during the AY 2014-2015 is $34,634 (this cost increases every year). 69% of the Grant funds are being used to fund the required assistant. These are funds that could be used immediately to increase student success strategies applied directly to students. |
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| 3 | MESA | Personnel | 12.237.619.1.090100 | 52110 | $0.00 | $20,000.00 |
| Retention Specialist | In order to increase direct support to students it is essential to hire knowledgeable personnel to assist in implementing and expanding student success strategies that lead to course completion, degree completion, and transfer rates. A Retention Specialist would assist in activities that promote campus outreach, professional development activities and events, tutoring and study groups, etc. With the addition of a Retention Specialist to the MESA staff, the MESA Director would have more time to capitalize on her experience to scale up student success programs and activities, including expand collaboration between STEM faculty and Community STEM professionals. |
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| 4 | MESA | Operating Expenses | 12.237.619.1.090100 | 55200 | $0.00 | $14,600.00 |
| Student Professional Development | Participation in professional development opportunities that broadens students knowledge as well as awareness and access to resources are essential to immediate and long-term impact on student success. With additional funding, the MESA Program ability to increase the number of students participating in activities such as professional and leadership conferences, and university and industry/company tours would be immediate (increase students participation by 50%) in addition, there is the potential long-term positive impact on course completion and transfer rates. |
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| 5 | MESA | Operating Expenses | $0.00 | $15,000.00 | ||
| Internship Incentives | The MESA Programs has seven year of implementing on-campus applied research internships in collaboration with BC Faculty and community STEM professionals. Funding for the internship projects is either limited or non-existence. The ability to provide an incentive in the form of textbook or bookstore vouchers would increase the student participation and persistence in a student success strategy that has immediate and long-term benefits to course completion and transfer rate. Besides the essential academic skills, the projects also enhance teamwork, communication and problem solving. The funding takes into consideration 25 students per semester receiving $300 vouchers. |
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