The purpose of the annual event was to provide a forum for the leaders of various student and professional organizations including:

• American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
• Black Student Science Organization (BSSO)
• Biology Club
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Pacific Asian Society of Engineers (PASE)
• Science Club
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

In addition, the following schools were represented:

• Universities:  San Diego State University, University of California – San Diego
• Community Colleges:  San Diego City College, Southwestern

Raytheon Company’s Mission Center Executive Randy Brandenburg welcomed attendees and Human Resources Talent Acquisition Vikki Wright provided an overview of the company and its opportunities.  In ‘Diversity Theatre,’ Raytheon Company staff played the roles of student organization members and addressed the issues of ethics, jealousy, diversity, inclusion, and authority.

[ Download sample 'Diversity Theatre' script (2010 version) ]

MESA staff and industry professionals facilitated student chapter breakout sessions where members presented highlights from previous years, expectations for 2011-2012, and worked towards developing a regional master calendar.

Guest speaker Wendy Martinez shared her first-hand experience of her struggles to become an engineer.  Martinez is a 2010 recipient of the prestigious HENAAC Luminary Award presented at the 22nd HENAAC Conference and she was featured as a Great Minds in STEM “Role Model of the Week” in February 2011.  Among other lists of achievements, Martinez is an alumnus of the MESA Engineering Program and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at San Diego State University.

A former student leader alumni panel consisting of Kevin Askew, Brianna Lutes, Jane Odero, and Brenda Salumbides.  Panel topics included:  Empowering Others; Responsibilities of Officers; Balance school, work, position and life; Conflict resolution; and Using your adviser.

The conference culminated in leaders and industry professionals collaborating to improve chapter effectiveness and communication between stakeholders and to promote leadership development and a social/industry/professional networking experience.

Following the conference, MESA staff compiled a ‘2011-2012 Who’s Who Officer Contact Listing’ and add calendar events compiled from the joint planning to the San Diego MESA Alliance Google Calendar.

Photo coverage can also be found at the San Diego MESA Alliance (SDMA) Facebook Page.

Photos courtesy Raytheon Company.

RAYTHEON COMPANY, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.

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The purpose of the annual event was to provide a forum for the leaders of various student and professional organizations including:

• American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
• Black Student Science Organization (BSSO)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Pacific Asian Society of Engineers (PASE)
• Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Sciences (SACNAS)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

In addition, the following schools were represented:

• Universities:  San Diego State University, University of California – San Diego
• Community Colleges:  San Diego City College, Southwestern

Raytheon Company’s Mission Center Executive Tom Dlugolecki welcomed attendees and Human Resources Talent Acquisition Vikki Wright and Engineering Manager Raydiance Wise provided an overview of the company and its opportunities.  In ‘Diversity Theatre,’ Raytheon Company staff played the roles of student organization members and addressed the issues of ethics, jealousy, diversity, inclusion, and authority.

[ Download 'Diversity Theatre' script ]

Representing the 53rd district of California, Congresswoman Susan Davis presented advice for current college students, updated attendees on project’s she and her staff are currently working on in support of education in light of the current California and nation economy, shared thoughts about where the future of high education lies in regard to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, the status of state and federal aid in the educational field, and lastly, touched upon the value of engaging in community service.

MESA staff and industry professionals, including co-sponsor Rick Engineering Company representative Edgar Camerino, facilitated student chapter breakout sessions where members presented highlights from previous years, expectations for 2010-2011, and worked towards developing a regional master calendar.

Raytheon Company Human Resources Manager Stephanie Love-Payne moderated a former student leader alumni panel consisting of Mr. Phong Bach, Ms. Michelle Jordan, Ms. Jane Odero, and Mr. Manuel Ramirez. Their experience as previous student organization officers while going to school and now as a professional in a STEM field will greatly help our new set of officers. Panel topics included:  Empowering Others; Responsibilities of Officers; Balance school, work, position and life; Conflict resolution; and Using your advisor.

The conference culminated in leaders and industry professionals collaborating to improve chapter effectiveness and communication between stakeholders and to promote leadership development and a social/industry/professional networking experience.

Following the conference, MESA staff will compile a ‘Who’s Who Roster 2010-2011 Contact Information’ and ‘Joint Regional Master Calendar’ for student organization participants and MESA industry supporters.

Photo coverage can also be found at the San Diego MESA Alliance (SDMA) Facebook Page.

Photos courtesy Raytheon Company.

RAYTHEON COMPANY, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.

RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY is an award winning, multi-disciplined planning, design and engineering firm. We maintain divisions that focus on urban design and planning, landscape architecture, transportation engineering, surveying, mapping, aerial photogrammetry and specialized computer services.

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This exceptional event assembled a “who’s who” gathering of student and professional chapters from engineering and science organizations, including:

• > NSBE: National Society of Black Engineers
• > PASE: Pacific Asian Society of Engineers
• > SHPE: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
• > SWE: Society of Women Engineers
• > BSSO: Black Student Science Organization
• > AMSA: American Medical Student Association
• > SACNAS: Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
• > Earth Science Club

In addition, the following schools were represented:

• > Universities: San Diego State University, University of California – San Diego, University of San Diego
• > Community Colleges: San Diego City College, Southwestern

This unique conference is expected to enhance the professional development of tomorrow’s leaders. The purpose of the conference was to improve chapter effectiveness, improve communication between stakeholders – students, industry and MESA staff, and promote leadership development. The conference addressed chapter basics, joint planning, community college-university-industry relationships, ethics, and leadership training.

Conference participants also received a 2009-2010 Master Calendar and 2009-2010 Who’s Who Roster. The Master Calendar included key chapter-related dates for local, regional and national events. The Who’s Who roster included contact information for chapter officers in all participating chapters.

The San Diego MESA Alliance is very grateful to Raytheon Company for hosting this event and supporting our MESA students.

Additional photo coverage can be found at the San Diego MESA Alliance Facebook page.

The purpose of the annual event was to provide a forum for the leaders of various student organizations including:

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers and Society of Women Engineers to collaborate to improve chapter effectiveness and communication between stakeholders and to promote leadership development.

The full press release can be viewed at IDS Communications.

Additional photo coverage of the event can be found on SmugMug.