Since its inception at Perimeter College in 2006, MESA has been helping students achieve their academic goals in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. MESA strives to diversify the pipeline of students coming into college to study STEM fields. MESA creates a community of faculty, staff and students who work to improve students’ access to STEM studies and their success in those studies by alleviating barriers that underrepresented students face during educational pursuits. MESA offers academic support and resources for qualifying students who have chosen one of the STEM pathways and who plan to transfer to STEM bachelor degree programs.
History of Success
The Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program at Perimeter College is supported by the University System of Georgia’s STEM Initiative and modeled after a successful program begun in 1970 in California and replicated elsewhere nationally. MESA is an academic preparation program that assists educationally disadvantaged students to excel in mathematics and science and to complete baccalaureate degrees in STEM.
Fall 2020 Applications are now closed!
MESA scholars benefit from the following “high engagement” activities:
- Academic Excellence Workshops. Group learning experiences that provide students with the opportunity to work collaboratively in a positive environment to achieve a high level of subject mastery. Workshops are led by peer student facilitators who, in concert with with faculty liaisons, develop material that parallels topics covered in class.
- Academic Advising/Counseling. Students receive guidance on classes and develop a three-year academic plan to ensure that courses are taken in an effective sequence that will lead to transfer and/or graduation.
- Assistance with the Transition and Transfer Processes. Exposure to resources and information regarding the transition and/or transfer from Perimeter’s associate degree pathways to a bachelor’s degree program.
- MESA Center. A dedicated academic-based space on the Clarkston Campus designed to help students excel in STEM by providing access to technology and opportunities for peer support and information-sharing.
- STEM Co-curricular Programming. Students have opportunities to participate in industry tours, attend technical guest lectures and connect with student and professional organizations
Criteria for Participation
To join Perimeter College MESA, a student must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident
- Satisfy the Academic Criteria, which require that a student:
- Be a full-time Perimeter College student enrolled in college level math with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
- Follow a STEM pathway of study (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, Math, Physics).
- Plan to transfer to a four-year institution.
- Plan to take at least two sequential Calculus courses.
- Have not earned a previous bachelor’s degree in any field.
- Be part of a group that has been traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines. This includes but is not limited to:
- First-generation college students.
- Female students.
- Financially disadvantaged students.
What is the criteria to participate?
To participate in MESA you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident
- Satisfy the Academic Criteria, which require that a student:
- Be a full-time Perimeter College student enrolled in college level math with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. (Students registered in ESL classes do not receive college credit for completed courses.)
- Follow a STEM pathway of study (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, Math, Physics).
- Plan to transfer to a four-year institution.
- Plan to take at least two sequential Calculus courses.
- Have not earned a previous bachelor’s degree in any field.
- Be part of a group that has been traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines. This includes but is not limited to:
- First-generation college students.
- Female students.
- Financially disadvantaged students.
Do I have to be a Perimeter College student to participate?
Yes, MESA is only available to students who are currently enrolled as Perimeter College students. Students that have transitioned to the downtown campus are no longer eligible for a participation stipend.
What if I am in Foundations level math?
In order to participate in MESA, you must be taking collegiate-level math
Can I participate if I am not studying a STEM discipline?
MESA is for students who have chosen one of the STEM pathways, which includes Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, and Math. You can participate as long as you remain in one of the STEM pathways or can show where you have changed to a STEM pathway. Please visit Pathways-Georgia Perimeter College for more information.
Can I participate as a part-time student?
You can participate. However in order to be eligible to receive participant support, you must be enrolled as a full-time student.
I am a Move on When Ready Student. Can I participate?
Move on When Ready Early College students are not allowed to officially declare a pathway until they apply for graduation if they are receiving their associate degrees. Therefore, they are not eligible to participate in MESA.
When are the Academic Excellence Workshops offered?
Please see the iCollege page for the schedule of when AEWs and tutoring are available.
How can I earn a participant stipend?
Please see the iCollege page for the criteria and the paperwork to complete. Submit required forms to Professor Diana McGinnis or Professor Steve Fitzpatrick by the deadline.
Janna Blum, Ph.D.
Academic Excellence Workshops
MESA Library
CH-3220
Clarkston Campus
MESA Center
CH 3240
Clarkston Campus
678-891-3741
fax: 678-891-3083
Office of STEM Initiatives
Martha Murray, MS OTL
Administrative Assistant for Office of the Associate Dean for Research & STEM,
Georgia State University
Perimeter College
Dunwoody Campus
p:770-274-5421
email: mesa@gsu.edu
MESA scholars benefit from the following “high engagement” activities:
- Academic Excellence Workshops. Group learning experiences that provide students with the opportunity to work collaboratively in a positive environment to achieve a high level of subject mastery. Workshops are led by peer student facilitators who, in concert with with faculty liaisons, develop material that parallels topics covered in class.
- Academic Advising/Counseling. Students receive guidance on classes and develop a three-year academic plan to ensure that courses are taken in an effective sequence that will lead to transfer and/or graduation.
- Assistance with the Transition and Transfer Processes. Exposure to resources and information regarding the transition and/or transfer from Perimeter’s associate degree pathways to a bachelor’s degree program.
- MESA Center. A dedicated academic-based space on the Clarkston Campus designed to help students excel in STEM by providing access to technology and opportunities for peer support and information-sharing.
- STEM Co-curricular Programming. Students have opportunities to participate in industry tours, attend technical guest lectures and connect with student and professional organizations
Criteria for Participation
To join Perimeter College MESA, a student must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident
- Satisfy the Academic Criteria, which require that a student:
- Be a full-time Perimeter College student enrolled in college level math with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
- Follow a STEM pathway of study (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, Math, Physics).
- Plan to transfer to a four-year institution.
- Plan to take at least two sequential Calculus courses.
- Have not earned a previous bachelor’s degree in any field.
- Be part of a group that has been traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines. This includes but is not limited to:
- First-generation college students.
- Female students.
- Financially disadvantaged students.
MESA Scholar Enrollment Form
What is the criteria to participate?
To participate in MESA you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident
- Satisfy the Academic Criteria, which require that a student:
- Be a full-time Perimeter College student enrolled in college level math with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. (Students registered in ESL classes do not receive college credit for completed courses.)
- Follow a STEM pathway of study (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, Math, Physics).
- Plan to transfer to a four-year institution.
- Plan to take at least two sequential Calculus courses.
- Have not earned a previous bachelor’s degree in any field.
- Be part of a group that has been traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines. This includes but is not limited to:
- First-generation college students.
- Female students.
- Financially disadvantaged students.
Do I have to be a Perimeter College student to participate?
Yes, MESA is only available to students who are currently enrolled as Perimeter College students
What if I am in Foundations level math?
In order to participate in MESA, you must be taking collegiate-level math
Can I participate if I am not studying a STEM discipline?
MESA is for students who have chosen one of the STEM pathways. You can participate as long as you remain in one of the STEM pathways or can show where you have changed to a STEM pathway.
Can I participate as a part-time student?
You can participate. However in order to be eligible to receive participant support, you must be enrolled as a full-time student.
I am a Move on When Ready Student. Can I participate?
Move on When Ready Early College students are not allowed to officially declare a pathway until they apply for graduation if they are receiving their associate degrees. Therefore, they are not eligible to participate in MESA.
When are the Academic Excellence Workshops offered?
Please see the iCollege page for the schedule of when AEWs and tutoring are available.
How can I earn a participant stipend?
Please see the iCollege page for the criteria and the paperwork to complete. Submit required forms to Professor Diana McGinnis or Professor Steve Fitzpatrick by the deadline.
Professor Steve Fitzpatrick
Academic Excellence Workshop Room
CH-3220
Clarkston Campus
MESA Center
CH 3240
Clarkston Campus
678-891-3741
fax: 678-891-3083
Office of STEM Initiatives
Vertilee Henry
Administrative Assistant
678-891-2895
pcstem@gsu.edu
Testimonials
“It was exciting to be a MESA Scholar. Among the scholars, there was fun, support and collaboration in our shared journey to improve our lives through education. I can call Perimeter’s MESA a place where I met my second family. I made my best friends and mentors there, with whom I communicate on a regular basis.”
Yitbarek Kazentet
Former MESA Student at Perimeter College and 2015 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Scholar
Fourth-Year Mechanical/Petroleum Engineering Student
University of Southern California, Viterbi School of Engineering
2017 Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholar
