Upcoming MESA and MPS Events
Please join us for these events, and check back here for more activities in coming weeks!
MESA STEM TALK: Beyond the Bridge: Navigating the Transfer from MESA to UC Davis
A former De Anza student and UC Davis Transfer Ambassador shares the blueprint for bridging the gap between community college and a four-year college. Beyond just getting in, we’ll discuss how to hit the ground running in high level coursework, leveraging your foundation to lead projects in clubs, secure internships at industry giants, and build a powerful professional network within the College. Learn how to transform your transfer journey into a competitive advantage!
- Where: ONLINE (Zoom Link will be sent to those who complete this form) & Viewing at MESA Center S54
- When: Thursday March 5, 2026, 6:30 - 7:30pm
- Heathcare Career Panel at De Anza College!
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Join this tribute mini conference! Registered Nurses will share their academic and
career journey as a way to inspire and motivate our De Anza students towards a career
in the healthcare industry. These panelists will share their journey, challenges and
celebrations and their current role in the frontlines.- When: Tuesday, 3/3/26
- Time: noon - 3 p.m.
- Save the Date for UndocuSTEM!
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We are excited to bring back the 5th Annual UndocuSTEM Conference at De Anza College! Join us on April 30th to hear from inspiring STEM professionals in Biology, Engineering, and Computer Science. This conference is a vital platform for all students, specifically undocumented
and DACAmented students to gain the resources, mentorship, and community support needed
to thrive in STEM pathways. Full Program to come.
- Women In Engineering Conference!
Registration fees and accommodations* (when out of state) will be provided by the
MESA Program. ONLY MESA Students are allowed to apply.
- 2026 Conference WIE Saturday Mar 21, 2026; 7:30am - 6:30pm at San Jose State Univ.ersity (Limited Spots Available).
UndocuSTEM Conference 2024 - 2025
Here are some highlights from this year's UndocuSTEM Conference and STEM Fair, co-sponsored by the HEFAS UndocuSTEM program and MESA, on Thursday, May 22.
External Opportinities
The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
Visit us at:
- MLC 250: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 5pm
- Mesa Center (S54): Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 pm to 3pm
The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Latinx and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.
Nano Stanford
This opportunity is open to all Bay Area community college students, and no prior lab experience is required. We truly encourage everyone to apply, curiosity
and interest are all you need. We expect to hire 3–4 interns, with positions beginning
in April 2026.
Application deadline is February 23.
Day of Science
Join us for our annual Day of Science on Feburary 28th, 2026! Day of Science is CCOP's annual celebration of STEM, research, and community that
takes place at the College of San Mateo (CSM) in collaboration with CSM's Mathematics, Engineering, Science, and Achievement (MESA).
Pathways in Health Technology 2026
Pathways in Health Technology is a program that aims to develop the next generation of leaders in the health technology industry by providing access and exposure to industry leaders, career opportunities, and essential skills to thrive in the field.
PROGRAM DEADLINE: September 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.(Midnight)
Scholarships For Dreamers
Who can apply:
- First-generation immigrant students
- Are currently undocumented (with or without DACA or TPS)
- Came to the U.S before November 1 2020
- Have lived continuously in the U.S since then
- Entered the U.S before the age of 16
- Earned or will earn a high school diploma or GED in the U.S
National Scholarships (Deadline: 28 February 2026)
- Up to $16,500 for an associate degree
- Up to $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree
- Up to $6,000 in stipends
Opportunity Scholarship (For locked-out states. Deadline: 31 January 2026)
- Up to $100,000 for a bachelor’s degree
- Helps cover tuition, fees, and on-campus housing and meals for a bachelor’s degree
Sierrathon – The PCB Design Challenge
Put your PCB skills to the test!
Sierrathon is not your average design competition, it’s a high-energy, fast-paced
challenge where engineering students tackle real-world PCB design problems under pressure.
Over the course of one intense day, teams will simulate the design process, earning
points for accuracy, efficiency, and innovation. The team with the highest score takes
home the Sierrathon Champion title!
Competition details -
- Venue: San Jose State University, Room 285
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 22
- Duration: One full day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (~8 hours, including breaks and awards)
- Teams: 1-5 students per team
*Only students with basic PCB design skills will be qualified to sign up*
Research-Undergraduate Summer Research Opportunities at C-GEM!
You are invited to apply to C-GEM’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (C-GEM SURP) where you will have the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research under the mentorship
of seasoned scientists.
C-GEM is seeking to expand the chemistry of the proteome, and projects span the chemistry-biology interface, including projects in organic synthesis, mass spectrometry, directed evolution, and structural biology. The program provides housing and board, a generous stipend, and support for travel to and from the research site. No prior research experience is required to participate!
Applications are due February 1st
Reseach Program-Lamat REU Program
The Lamat REU program participants engage in inquiry-based learning in astronomy and planetary sciences using state-of-the-art astrophysical simulations as a common pillar. We accept applications
from all undergraduate students, but we particularly encourage students from community
colleges to apply.
- Summer Program: June 22 – August 14, 2026
- Application Deadline: Monday, December 1, 2025 (PST)
Questions? Contact Deana Tanguay, Managing Director: dtanguay@ucsc.edu
Break Through Tech Information Session with De Anza College MESA STEM Group
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The Sprinternship™ Program is a quick and immersive paid micro-internship experience designed to support students
early in their computing studies. Sprinternships™ work on a real-world project for
three weeks during academic break, hosted by a vast array of employers, including
American Express, Capital One, Google, and Ticketmaster. Each experience is unique—harnessing
students' limitless potential to define the future of tech. -
The AI Program is a virtual, one-year extracurricular experience that equips students with the skills needed to secure a job in the fastest-growing areas of tech: data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML).
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 1:30-2:30 PM (over zoom)
Register Here
Cal-Bridge Summer
Cal-Bridge Summer is a summer research program designed to allow California State
University and California Community College students to participate in cutting-edge
research in a variety of STEM disciplines at one of over 20 world-class partner research
institutions. Selected students are paid a stipend and their travel and housing expenses
are covered.
Application deadline: January 31, 2025
Past Events: 2024-25
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March 15th: WiE Conference
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March 4th: Sandra Diaz Health Professions Career Panel
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Feb. 18: Resume and Cover Letter Feedback
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Feb. 10: Cover Letter and Interview Workshop
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Feb. 8: Stanford SUMMA Conference
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MESA Transfer Workshops!
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Nov. 25th: MESA Winter Warm Up
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Transfer Application Labs w/ Melissa
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MESA STEM Talks
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Stipend-Intern Program & 2026 Summer Internship with Valley Water
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Reseach Program-Lamat REU Program
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Breaking Barriers: A First-Generation Engineer's Journey from Oaxaca to Innovation
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2026 Fall Conference for Diversity in Engineering @ SJSU
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Conference UC Davis Pre Health Conference
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SACNAS conference
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Conference American Chemical Society Western Regional Meeting
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Explore Chemical & Materials Engineering at SJSU
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MESA Career Prep Workshops!
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SUMMA Conference
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2026 Stanford Cancer Research and Careers Undergraduate Program
Join us for winter theme fun, games and a chance to win some prizes. This counts as
one of the two events you can attend for 
The Lamat REU program participants engage in inquiry-based learning in astronomy and planetary sciences using state-of-the-art astrophysical simulations as a common pillar. We accept applications
from all undergraduate students, but we particularly encourage students from community
colleges to apply.
Rafael's career spans Genentech, Johnson & Johnson (surgical robotics), and now Innovative
Sensor Technology in Las Vegas. As a first-generation student and formerly undocumented,
he shares his journey to inspire others to pursue their dreams in engineering and
beyond.
Below are a few Conferences opportunities for 
The Stanford Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society are partnering to provide
asummer internship for undergraduate students from San Francisco Bay Area schools
withresearch tools and experiences necessary to pursue careers in cancer research.