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Professional Development for MESA Students
Help MESA Students Gain Professional Development Experience

UCSC is an institution committed to creating a more culturally diverse and equitable future in the sciences. With approximately 34% of students being low-income and/or of the first generation in their families to attend university, UCSC prides itself on being an institute for social mobility.


The MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) Engineering Program is a central component of the university’s effort to unleash the potential of our students who face socioeconomic barriers. 


MESA provides academic counseling, community, study space, and professional development opportunities for students from historically excluded groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 


As the world of professional STEM grows increasingly specialized and competitive, the professional development opportunities that MESA provides to the students it serves are not only beneficial; they are crucial to student success!


STEM conferences, job training workshops, and opportunities for students to engage with professional mentors in their respective fields—these edifying experiences are necessary but require financial resources. 


Too often, financial barriers keep historically excluded student groups from receiving the professional development opportunities they need to succeed. 


This is why MESA is imploring your support on Giving Day 2023. 


Your gift to the Professional Development Opportunity Fund will make it possible for academically excellent students in financial need to attend professional development events so that they will obtain the experiences and opportunities they need to succeed. 


Donations will go toward travel expenses, boarding, and registration fees for these vital engagements. Approximately $2k provides complete support for a 5-day domestic conference for a student. 


Follow the link below to visit the Professional Development Opportunity Fund page for information on how to give, as well as more about MESA and the Baskin School of Engineering. 

Success!
Social Butterfly
Congratulations to Grupo Folklórico Los Mejicas de UCSC on engaging their community and rallying support for their project!
Completed
Leaderboard
Night Owl
The project with the most individual donors between 12 midnight and 1 am will receive $1,000. 2nd place will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Formula Slug 36
2 $500 Pilipino Cultural Celebration 22
3 Tech4Good Student Programs 17
4 Grupo Folklórico Los Mejicas de UCSC 17
5 KZSC Radio 10
Ended
Leaderboard
Morning Mayhem
The project with the most individual donors between 10 and 11 am will receive $1,000. 2nd place will receive $500.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Cloud 9 A Cappella 62
2 $500 Women's Lacrosse Team 32
3 Autoslug 32
4 UCSC Slug Rugby 22
5 UCSC Fencing Club 22
Ended
Leaderboard
Happy Hour
The project teams with the most donors between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. will take home extra challenge funds! $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place. Generously sponsored by Professor of Theater Arts Patty Gallagher.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Rocket Team at UCSC 51
2 $500 UCSC Surf Club 34
3 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 21
4 SOL Ultimate Frisbee 18
5 Undergrads Supporting System-Impacted Filmmakers 16
Ended
Leaderboard
Slug Surprise
The project with the most individual donors between 10 and 11 p.m. will receive $1,500, 2nd place will receive $750 and 3rd will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,500 Formula Slug 47
2 $750 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 42
3 $500 UCSC Slug Rugby 32
4 Rocket Team at UCSC 32
5 UCSC Fencing Club 23
Ended
Leaderboard
Indie 100
The project with the most individual donors giving $100 or more will receive $1,000. Second place will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 UCSC Slug Rugby 129
2 $500 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 65
3 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 62
4 UC Santa Cruz NCAA Cross Country and Track & Field 47
5 Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI) 43
Ended
Success!
Best in Show
Congratulations to CENTER FOR AGROECOLOGY: UCSC FARM for their engaging and fun video!
Completed
Leaderboard
Early Riser
The project with the most individual donors between 7 and 8 am will receive $1,000. 2nd place will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $1,000 Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI) 49
2 $500 UCSC Slug Rugby 24
3 Tech4Good Student Programs 23
4 SOL Ultimate Frisbee 12
5 Formula Slug 11
Ended
Leaderboard
Mid-day Motivator
The project with the most individual donors between 12 noon and 2 pm will receive $2,500, second place will receive $1,000 and third place will receive $500. Third place generously sponsored by UC Santa Cruz Foundation Trustees Panda Kroll and Janet Buck.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $2,500 Formula Slug 155
2 $1,000 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 146
3 $500 UCSC Slug Rugby 99
4 Undergrads Supporting System-Impacted Filmmakers 64
5 Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI) 49
Ended
Leaderboard
Mad Dash
The project with the most individual donors between 6 and 8 pm will receive $2,500, second place will receive $1,000 and third place will receive $500. Generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $2,500 Rocket Team at UCSC 213
2 $1,000 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 203
3 $500 Pilipino Cultural Celebration 97
4 City on a Hill Press 69
5 UCSC Slug Rugby 54
Ended
Leaderboard
Final Frenzy
The project with the most individual donors on Giving Day (12am-12am) will receive $10,000, second place will receive $5,000 and third place will receive $2,000. First place award generously sponsored by the UC Santa Cruz Foundation Board Opportunity Fund.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $10,000 STEM Diversity - Plant the Seed for Big Dreamers 462
2 $5,000 UCSC Slug Rugby 405
3 $2,000 Formula Slug 300
4 Rocket Team at UCSC 289
5 Undergrads Supporting System-Impacted Filmmakers 201
Ended
Leaderboard
Indie 500
The project with the most individual donors giving $500 or more will receive $2,500. 2nd place will receive $1,000.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $2,500 UCSC Slug Rugby 16
2 $1,000 Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI) 15
3 Alumni Association Scholarship Fund 13
4 CalTeach Landesman Fund for Math/Science Teachers 13
5 Academic Excellence (ACE) Program 12
Ended
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