Campus Initiative Award for Sustainability Announced

The Sustainability Committee has announced Nena Anguiano, MESA Director, has been selected as the recipient of the 2015-2016 Sustainability Initiative Award for her leadership of the Butte College Math, Engineering, Sciences Achievement (MESA) Program.

The MESA program assists economically and educational disadvantaged students declared in math, engineering, and the sciences in having a successful community college and transfer experience in order to increase the likelihood that they will attain their goals to become STEM professionals. It does this by building a peer-based academic community that provides both student support and motivation. As MESA director, Nena offers an innovative program that provides a wide range of opportunities for students.

MESA internships, which are the most unique part of this program, have included sustainability-themed projects to provide students with opportunities to work with scientists and engineers in a work-based environment. To date, MESA has worked with 16 campus and community mentors and 155 student interns (Spring 2009 – Fall 2015).

Internships included:

        • Biofiltration Wetland Educational Learning Laboratory (BWELL) founded Spring 2009
        • Rice Hulls for Alternative Building (RHAB) – founded Spring 2011
        • Rice Energy GENeration (REGen)- founded Spring 2012
        • Solar Energy Alternatives (SEA) - founded Fall 2012
        • MESATalk – founded Spring 2013

Other MESA programs include:

        • Dwight D. Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP)
        • MESA Leadership Symposium
        • Dinner with a Scientist