At Clark College, MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Scholars aren’t just preparing for degrees in STEM – they’re building networks, gaining real-world experience, and shaping their futures through one of the nation’s most impactful academic support programs.

Building Opportunity Through MESA

MESA is a national program designed to empower historically underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). At Clark, the program offers a strong community of support, combining mentorship, academic guidance, and hands-on workshops to help students persist in their STEM studies and launch meaningful careers.

A central feature of the program is its commitment to experiential learning. MESA maintains an up-to-date database of internships, research placements, and scholarships, and actively builds relationships with institutions, companies, and organizations to uncover new opportunities. Throughout the year, MESA hosts info sessions that give students insight into competitive application strategies and help them put their best foot forward.

MESA Scholars also participate in research fairs and industry visits, gaining a firsthand look at possible career paths in STEM.

Taco ‘Bout Internships & Scholarships

Every quarter, students come together for “Taco ‘Bout Internships & Scholarships” – informal work sessions where they work on internship and scholarship applications in a supportive, community-centered setting – complete with coffee, snacks, and a shared sense of purpose.

 The Value of Experiential Learning

Experiential learning – such as internships and research – is more than a résumé booster. It is essential for bridging classroom knowledge with real-world application.

These opportunities allow students to:

• Explore career paths in their field of interest
• Gain practical, hands-on experience
• Build confidence, motivation, and a strong STEM identity
• Earn income through paid internships
• Improve transfer and employment opportunities
• Develop professional connections and mentorships
• Clarify academic and career goals
• Strengthen critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills
• Support persistence, retention, and equity in STEM education

In today’s job market, employers often expect graduates to have both a degree (knowledge) and relevant experience.  Through MESA, students gain both—opening doors, building momentum, and becoming the leaders STEM needs.

Celebrating Our MESA Interns

We’re proud to announce that five outstanding MESA Scholars have secured internships and research opportunities this academic year/summer:

Oscar Garcia

• Major: Network Technology
• Internship: Online Support, Vancouver, WA as a Desktop Support Technician Intern

Oscar will assist with client troubleshooting (remote and onsite), data security, workstation setup, and account management.

Araylia-Marie Martinez

• Major: Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering
• Internship: Hinds Laboratory, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR

Araylia-Marie is part of the OHSU Equity Internship Program, where she’ll conduct biomedical research focused on the biocompatibility of biomaterials.

Muhammad Rafique

• Major: Nursing
• Program: UW Nurse Camp, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Muhammad will participate in immersive activities such as CPR and HIPAA training, infection control, vital sign monitoring, and shadowing nurses across hospital units. He will also receive mentorship from UW Nursing students and engage in professional networking.

Seth Stigall

• Major: Computer Science
• Internship: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN

Selected for the Department of Energy’s Community College Internship (CCI) Program, Seth will collaborate with researchers to develop a unit conversion library for scientific software. He will present his work at the program’s conclusion.

Emma Sturm

• Major: Computer Science
• Internship: RS Medical, Vancouver, WA

As an IT Programming Intern, Emma supports system maintenance and programming using SQL, Python, Apex, HTML, and JavaScript.

We are excited for the skills, knowledge, and professional growth these students will gain. These internships not only enhance their classroom learning but also prepare them to complete their bachelor’s degrees and pursue meaningful careers. Each student will also receive a $1,000 stipend, generously funded by the Taco Bell Foundation Community Grant, in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

About Washington MESA 

The Washington MESA program is an educational pathway program administered by the University of Washington and established by the Washington State Legislature. Clark College is one of 12 community colleges in Washington that offers a MESA transfer prep program center for its students who plan to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree. Learn more here. 

About MESA at Clark College

At Clark, the MESA Center includes a dedicated space for studying and creating community, as well as opportunities for mentorship, assistance with books and fees, conference participation, campus visits, and more. 

Clark College began its MESA program during the 2018-19 academic year. The program can serve up to 100 students and currently serves more than 80 students. Between 30 and 40 students are very active in the program. Others use the basic services, such as the textbook lending library.

Learn more about Clark’s MESA program here. 

Photos submitted.

Our MESA scholars had a busy fall term attending conferences, transfer fairs, internship info sessions, and workshops. Below is a list of MESA activities during fall term and upcoming opportunities in 2025.

October 30: November 2: National Diversity in STEM Conference in Phoenix, AZ

Four Clark College MESA students attended the nation’s largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event. It was presented by the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science. Students were immersed in cutting-edge research, professional development, keynote sessions, and the Academic & Career Expo. The experience equipped them with valuable skills, scholarship information, and networking opportunities.

November 14: STEM Research & Transfer Fair, Seattle

MESA Scholars visited North Seattle College for the STEM Research & Transfer Fair, connecting with the University of Washington’s resources on research pathways, research experiences for undergraduates, funding opportunities, and transfer support for Clark students who plan to transfer to UW.

November 19: WSU Vancouver Workshop

MESA hosted an Admissions and Financial Aid workshop with WSU Vancouver counselors. The sessions covered transfer admissions, scholarships, and financial aid, with one-on-one assistance with WSU Vancouver counselors.

November 20: Introduction to Success Coaching

In partnership with Clark College’s Student Success Coaching program, we offered a session to connect MESA scholars with the college’s Success Coaches who offer personalized guidance to help them navigate coursework, college life, and long-term academic planning.

November 26: MESA Giving Event in Clark’s MESA Center, STEM Building

A gathering with games, food, and crafts for MESA scholars to build community, relax, celebrate their progress, and prepare for their finals.

December 3: Summer Health Professions Education Program Webinar

MESA hosted a webinar in collaboration with the Summer Health Professions Education Program for students to learn about its summer internships and application process. This transformative summer experience offers students opportunities to explore careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and public health.

December 5: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Community College Internships Info Session (virtual)

MESA hosted a virtual info session with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory in Richland, Washington about its Community College Internships. MESA Scholars learned about paid internships for Summer 2025, key application dates, and the application process.

December 12: Transfer Student Preview Day at University of Washington, Seattle

MESA scholars attended University of Washington’s Transfer Student Preview Day, designed for prospective transfer students to explore programs, services, and connect with academic departments. The UW College of Engineering hosted a lunch and info session just for MESA engineering students! It was attended by students from Clark, Columbia Basin, Edmonds, Everett, Highline, and Green River community colleges.

December 13: Internship & Scholarship Application Work Session, Clark MESA Center

MESA Scholars are invited to join their MESA peers for a focused session to work on their applications for internships and scholarships. With deadlines fast approaching for many of these opportunities, it is the perfect time to get started before heading out for winter break. Food, coffee, and snacks were provided to keep students energized as they work.

January 9, 2025: ISB Summer Internships Info Session

In partnership with the Institute for Systems Biology, MESA will host a virtual info session for students to learn about ISB’s summer internships and why it’s important for students to engage and participate in these experiences. ISB offers various internships for students interested in biology, chemistry, computer science, information science, applied mathematics, and engineering. ISB is an internationally renowned nonprofit institute in Seattle, which is dedicated to studying and applying systems biology to unravel biological complexity.

January 14: Health Sciences Career Panel

In partnership with The Mentoring Project, we are excited to host a virtual health sciences career panel that offers MESA Scholars an opportunity to explore diverse health sciences careers. Students will gain valuable insights from experienced professionals and will ask the professionals questions during a Q&A session.

January 25, 2025: Silicon Forest Tech Summit, Hillsboro, Oregon

MESA plans to take several students to the Silicon Forest Tech Summit. The summit brings together the entire tech ecosystem, uniting emerging tech startups, established corporations, innovative technologists, and educational institutions. Students will have the opportunity to explore emerging tech, gain insights into advanced manufacturing, discover exciting career opportunities in the tech industry, and network with other students and professionals.

January 28 & February 19: WSU Vancouver Office Hours for MESA Scholars, MESA Center

We’ve partnered with WSU Vancouver and their admissions department to host office hours for MESA Scholars. WSU Vancouver’s Admissions Counselor, Laura Arellano-Karki, will be available to meet with students and support them through the transfer admissions process, including completing their admission application.

February 4: Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center Visit, Seattle

MESA will be taking students to the Fred Hutch Cancer Center to explore cutting-edge research, discover exciting internship opportunities, and learn about careers in cancer research and health sciences, participate in hands-on lab activity and tour lab facilities. Fred Hutch is renowned for its groundbreaking work in cancer treatment and its impact on both cancer and infectious diseases worldwide. As an independent organization, Fred Hutch also serves as the cancer program for University of Washington Medicine.

February 21: Portland State University Campus Visit, Portland, OR

MESA Scholars will visit PSU to explore their transfer options, learn about PSU academic programs, admissions, transfer process, financial aid, and to tour the campus.

March 5-9, 2015: Annual National Society of Black Engineers Convention, Chicago, Ill.

The NSBE Convention will gather students and professionals to promote Black excellence in engineering. The NSBE mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. Clark’s MESA program plans to take several scholars to participate in this impactful event.

March 14, 2025: iFLY STEM Field Trip and Indoor Sky Diving, Portland, OR

We will be participating in a fun indoor skydiving experience at iFLY Portland! iFLY offers STEM visits including learning about the engineering and physics behind their state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Students will participate in an immersive, hands-on lab activity before experiencing the thrill of indoor skydiving.

MESA Q & A

Q: What is MESA?

A: MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) is a national program designed to increase the number of historically underrepresented populations to succeed in STEM fields. This includes African American, Native American, Latino/Hispanic, and Pacific Islander/Hawaiian and women community college students who transfer to universities and earn STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) bachelor’s degrees. 

Q: When did Clark College begin its MESA program?

A: Clark College began its MESA program during the 2018-19 academic year.

Q: How many Clark College students participate in MESA?

A: Clark’s program can serve up to 100 students. It currently serves more than 60 students.

Q: Where is the MESA Center at Clark College?

A: Clark College has a dedicated MESA Center in the STEM building for studying and creating community, as well as opportunities for mentorship, assistance with books and fees, conference participation, campus visits, and more.

Learn more about MESA

• Website: Learn more here
• Email: rlaraalvarado@clark.edu
• Phone: 360-992-2225
• Book an appointment with MESA Director Román Lara here.