The California Forums for Diversity in Graduate Education, planned by a consortium of public and private colleges and universities from throughout California, have been designed particularly to meet the needs of advanced undergraduates and master’s candidates who belong to groups that are currently underrepresented in doctoral-level programs. The groups include low-income and first-generation college students and especially African Americans, American Indians, Chicanos/Latinos, Filipinos, Pacific Islanders, Asian American women, and Asian American men in the arts, humanities and letters, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, engineering, education, and health-related fields.

By Kristiana Erthner
Cars racing, bridges collapsing and strange objects falling from the sky—this is what MESA Day is all about.

On Saturday, March 6, the MESA Schools Program (Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement) will host its annual MESA Day event, giving San Diego County middle and high school students the opportunity to participate in a number of science-based activities and win awards for their performances.

Southwestern College’s Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) Program, in collaboration with Southwestern College (SWC) Associated Student Organization (ASO) will host Science Opportunity Day on Tuesday, March 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mathematics, Sciences and Engineering Quad/330 Building Patio Area. This joint effort between our program and student clubs facilitates the goals of introducing students to the opportunities offered by local companies, organizations and school programs. I hope that you will be a part of this good day!

The 9th annual Leadership Summit took place at the Indian Hills Camp in Jamul on the weekend of February 19 – February 21, 2010. MESA/MEP/MSP students from San Diego City College, San Diego State University, and Southwestern College participated in various competitions that promoted the use of their leadership skills and various strengths attributes.

Students experience application and interview selection process to work at various engineering and scientific firms in San Diego County from June 2010-August 2010. Great opportunity for career exploration.

The Mock Interview, and Resume and Cover Letter Critique will be on Monday, March 15, 2010 from 1pm-4pm at SDSU Career Services. This event will have limited seating and will be hosted by industry. Northrop Grumman will host a presentation on resumes and cover letters from 1-2p and limited students will have an opportunity to participate in 30 minute one-on-one Mock Interviews and Resume/Cover Letter Critiques between 2-4p.

During a Shadow Day, you will:
• Visit Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems facility in Rancho Bernardo
• Follow an engineer around in his or her department to get a first-hand look into their day to day operations
• Get an executive overview of the corporation
• Take an inside look of the labs

Now in its eighth year, UC Edge: Graduate Recruitment Day 2010 is an all-day event for underrepresented undergraduates who are sophomores and juniors engaged in a faculty-mentored research program, as well as master’s students. Faculty, graduate students and staff from all ten University of California campuses come to UCLA to meet with interested students of all disciplines about graduate opportunities at the University of California.

Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) provides hands-on/minds-on exploration in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for 6th – 10th grade girls. Our mission is to encourage young women to pursue careers in these fields by offering interactive workshops from Architecture to Zoology. Girls from all over San Diego County will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge in various areas, talk with others who share similar interests, and have women college students (you!) studying science and technology as mentors for an entire day. This year’s theme is “Sustain your Future”. Please Note: All mentors are required to attend one of three training sessions prior to the Conference which will be held Sat. 2/27 (10-11am), Mon. 3/1 (7-8pm) and Thurs. 3/4 (7-8pm) on the University of San Diego campus. Application deadline is Wednesday, March 3, 2010 so sign up today!

San Diego Gas & Electric will be holding its 2nd Annual Engineering and Technology Expo on February 9, 2010 and would like your help to reach the desired target audience – college students with a passion for math and science, who may be considering a career in Engineering or Information Technology. Attached is a flier with more details on the event as well a link to register.

San Diego State University wants YOU!….to be in their next commercial.

SDSU has hired a production company to film a new commercial that will air on national TV, including ESPN! The theme of the commercial is “Aztec for Life” and the storyline centers around the Aztec Warrior growing up and growing old as an Aztec!