Below are several of San Diego State University’s featured graduates from the class of 2012, which includes 9,973 degree candidates.

The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is a national organization dedicated to achieving equity and full participation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. Since 2003, six remarkable young women from the San Diego City College Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program have received a $1,000 scholarship from AWIS San Diego. Overcoming life challenges – first in their family to attend college, low income, single mom or military veteran, this is their inspiring story of transfer, achievement and success! Most recently in 2012, MESA Creator Hue Simone, a mathematics major, was awarded the AWIS Scholarship and former MESA student (now at UCSD), Ashley Pourazary.

The previous five MESA Creators who received the AWIS scholarship have earned Bachelor of Science Degrees in Math, Engineering and Science areas, and they have all gone on to graduate study, including 1 Masters program and 4 Ph.D. programs at Harvard University, University of North Florida, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Rice University!

The Imperial Valley Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement program has proven once again that it is possible to have fun while learning.

The team came back from the University of California, Riverside, MESA Day Regionals competition with ribbons, medals and a trophy beating out hundreds of students all over Southern California, program director Jeanette Espino said.

Students from Meadows Elementary School, Holtville Middle School, William Moreno Junior High School, Enrique Camarena Junior High School, Seeley School, Westmorland School, Kennedy Middle School and Bill E. Young Jr. Middle School participated.

Congratulations to San Diego State University Maximizing Science Potential student Mercedes Quintana on being a Cesar E. Chavez scholarship recipient.

SDSU celebrates the life of Cesar E. Chavez and recognizes individuals striving to follow in those footsteps.

Students Win at National Research Conference
Chantal Gonzalez and Phillip Webster take home the gold at the Emerging Researchers National Conference.

The “Quest for the Best” Award was started on campus 26 years ago by the Vice President for Student Affairs. Today, James Kitchen, vice president for Student Affairs, continues the tradition of the “Quest for the Best” Awards in pursuit to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of students and the faculty and staff members who have had a significant contribution to their personal growth.

This award honors not only student leaders, but also faculty and staff members for their dedication, mentorship and genuine concern for the success of their students. For 26 years, faculty and staff members have been honored for their commitment to the development of SDSU’s students.

A $17,500 grant supports a math and science camp for college hopeful middle schoolers and their teachers.

The White House Office of Public Engagement and Office of Science and Technology Policy would like to invite you to join us on the occasion of Women’s History Month for an update call on recent Administration events, activities, and initiatives in support of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Call-in details are as follows:

Join us for a fun filled day of hands-on engineering for middle school students, their parents and educators. Students will work directly with engineers while they complete hands-on activities and compete in a catapult competition.

Date: Saturday, April 14
Time: 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Raytheon, 8680 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92123

Register by Wed, April 4: http://raytheon.cvent.com/survey/catapult
There is no fee, but space is limited, so register early.

Dr. Nouna Bakhiet is a DNA scientist but no reductionist. She encourages students to remake themselves into learned, potent beings who can advance human knowledge. Bakhiet was honored by her peers as the recipent of the 2012 Faculty Leadership Award.