STEP Partnership of San Diego (SPSD)
In October 2007, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded the San Diego MESA Alliance a 5-year, 1.9 million dollar grant. This NSF supported grant created the STEP Partnership of San Diego (SPSD), which incorporates the successful MESA model at each partner campus (San Diego State University, San Diego City College, and Southwestern College), enhancing essential services that help students excel. *The NSF grant ended in September 2012*
Together, MESA and SPSD create a partnership of educational, industry, and government organizations forming a pipeline from community college to university to STEM industry. The goals of SPSD are to:
- increase the number of students who pursue STEM academic and career pathways,
- increase retention in STEM disciplines,
- and promote opportunities in STEM post-graduate studies.
The institutions included in this collaboration are:
The project is incorporating MESA program model at each partner campus. It is enhancing efforts to provide essential services that help students excel academically, develop leadership skills, and gain exposure to industry.
Team internships are being facilitated through this project to provide students with opportunities to increase their knowledge and to develop skills for academic and workplace success, and ultimately to become part of the economic development of the region.
Published Works:
- Alvarez, R.D., Bakhiet, R.M., Garcia, T.M., & Yang, A.V. (2011). Work in Progress: Pathways to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Opportunities via Academic Success and Internships. PSW American Society for Engineering Education Zone IV Conference (186-200). American Society for Engineering Education.
- STEP Partnership of San Diego National Science Foundation posters: