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May 2, 2012

ExxonMobil Continues to Support Hancock MESA program

The Allan Hancock College Foundation recently accepted a $5,000 donation from ExxonMobil to help support the college’s Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program.

“ExxonMobil is committed to investing in math and science education because we believe it is key in preparing our youth for the challenges of tomorrow,” said Troy Tranquada, ExxonMobil Santa Ynez Unit Operations Superintendent.  “Support for the MESA program and local students furthers their math and science education and better prepares them for careers in those fields.” 

The MESA program at Allan Hancock College provides disadvantaged students with the skills necessary to transfer to four-year universities and pursue bachelor’s degrees in math-based fields such as science and engineering.  Currently 125 students take part in the program, and a record number of those students will be transferring to a four-year university this semester, according to Christine Reed, Hancock’s MESA counselor/coordinator.  The recent donation from ExxonMobil will go toward funding scholarships for those students.

Brooke Kalusky, a bio-psychology major and MESA student, is graduating this spring and transferring to a four-year university.  She has applied to three University of California schools and has already been accepted to the University of California, Santa Barbara.  

“I spend at least 50 hours a week studying and it can be really hard to work even part-time,” she said.  “I’m really thankful for companies like ExxonMobil who support student scholarships.”

This is the fourth donation that ExxonMobil has given to the MESA program.  In August 2011, Tranquada presented MESA with a $2,000 donation.

April 25, 2012

AHC MESA Student Wins Regional Math Award

Nearly 200 students from 21 community colleges competed in the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program’s third annual Math Challenge and it was Allan Hancock College student German Morales who took the top place.

“German is a wonderful student and we are so pleased to have him represent the college’s MESA program,” said Christine Reed, Hancock’s MESA counselor/coordinator.  “We are so proud of him and know he has a bright future ahead.”

Morales said he was surprised to get the top score because his thoughts were on another test waiting for him in one of his classes that same afternoon. Focusing on academics has paid off for Morales, who was recently accepted as a mechanical engineering major at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and the University of California, Davis.

“Everything I’ve experienced in MESA has been great so far. They’ve really put me on track to go to a four-year university,” Morales said.

Seven Hancock students took part in the Math Challenge, which was held in the MESA Center on the Santa Maria campus on March 21. The 60-minute test was modeled after the American Mathematical Association’s Student Math League test and was sponsored by the CPA and business consulting firm, Vasquez & Company LLP, who provided professionals to assist with grading the tests.

“The Math Challenge allows students to gain recognition for their problem solving skills and helps alleviate the stress that often comes with test preparation,” said Tiffany Reardon, who oversees the MESA Community College Program.

Currently 125 students are involved in the MESA program at Allan Hancock College, which provides disadvantaged students with the skills necessary to transfer to four-year universities and pursue bachelor’s degrees in math-based fields such as science and engineering.

August 16, 2011

ExxonMobil Donation Supports Hancock MESA Program

The Allan Hancock College Foundation recently accepted a $2,000 donation from ExxonMobil to help support the college's Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program. Troy Tranquada, Operations Supervisor for ExxonMobil, made the presentation at the August 16 Allan Hancock College Board of Trustees meeting. ExxonMobil has given to the college for many years, and this is the third donation directed to the MESA program, which Tranquada believes "is a good fit" as the next generation of students help develop new energy sources. "MESA's focus is to encourage education in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)," said Tranquada. "And the future will require a global population very skilled in math and science. MESA is helping to make that happen."

Pictured from left are José Ortiz, Ed.D., Allan Hancock College superintendent/ president; MESA students Brooke Kalusky and Joanna Ortiz; Christine Reed, Hancock's MESA counselor/coordinator; students Tyler Swope and Heather Adams; Tranquada; and students Alejandro Gutierrez and Juan Gutierrez-Franco.

March 16, 2011

Digital Literacy Project Equips Students to Train Others

Fifty students in the Allan Hancock College Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, including Cesia Cazares pictured right, were awarded laptops March 14 and 15 as part of a statewide program designed to increase digital literacy rates among underserved communities in California.

The laptops, which are also being distributed to students at 32 other community colleges throughout the state, come fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology provided by many of today's top communications and technology companies, including Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, AT&T and Insight Technology Solutions. With laptops in hand, the Allan Hancock College students will prepare for training members of the community who otherwise would not have access to or knowledge of navigating the Internet.

"We're pleased with the number of Allan Hancock College MESA students who have chosen to accept this challenge of teaching members of their community how to use a computer to better their lives. This program is a win-win for both students and the community, and Allan Hancock College is proud to support it," said Christine Reed, the college's MESA program academic specialist.

The laptops are available thanks to California Connects, a federally-funded statewide program designed to increase digital literacy and broadband access among underserved communities. California Connects is funded by a $10.9 million Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Approximately 3,000 students at community colleges throughout the state have earned the laptop computers by agreeing to train others over the coming months.

The participating MESA students will be provided with hands-on training in the coming months to prepare them for educating others on how to gain access to and navigate the Internet, all in an effort to increase California's broadband Internet users by more than 61,000 individuals over the next three years and positively impact the digital divide that still exists in many communities. MESA students will use the applications they've learned to teach new users how to use the Internet for essential tasks such as securing gainful employment, exploring higher education opportunities, accessing health and finance resources, utilizing social networks and advancing their general quality of life.

Reed is interested in working with leaders of local churches, social organizations and community programs to coordinate the computer literacy effort. Those interested in having members of their organization receive training should contact her at 922-6966 ext. 3348 or creed@hancockcollege.edu.

Over the next three years, a total of 5,800 laptops will be distributed to MESA students at 33 California community college campuses.

Additional details about the program are available at www.CAconnects.org.

July 28, 2010

ExxonMobil Donation Supports Hancock MESA Program

SANTA MARIA-The Allan Hancock College Foundation recently accepted a donation from ExxonMobil to help support the college's Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program.  Frank Betts, Operations Supervisor for ExxonMobil, made the presentation at the July 20 Allan Hancock College Board of Trustees meeting.  Although Exxon has given to the college for many years, this is the first donation directed to the MESA program, which Betts believes "is a good fit" as the next generation of students help develop new energy sources.

Pictured from left are Betts; José Ortiz, Allan Hancock College superintendent/president; MESA students Gerardo Toledo, Ryan Bermudez, Jillian Davenport and Luis Garcia; and Christine Reed, the college's MESA counselor/coordinator.

 

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