Six students standing outdoors next to a red sign for WSU Vancouver MESA Day

SW Washington MESA

Empowering Future STEM Leaders

SW Washington MESA at WSU Vancouver provides underrepresented students with the essential tools and educational support needed to excel in science, technology, engineering, and math. Through robust mentorships, interactive workshops, and academic programming, the center builds a community that bridges the gap to higher education. By focusing on project-based learning and human-centered design, students develop the skills and confidence required to envision themselves as the next generation of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians.

This nationally recognized program counteracts stereotypes by offering rigorous college preparation and professional development for educators. Students receive hands-on learning opportunities that serve as a catalyst for college readiness and graduation with STEM degrees. WSU Vancouver remains committed to fostering equity in education, ensuring that middle and high school students across the region are competitively eligible for the most rigorous colleges and universities.

Vision and Mission

  • Vision: Students in Washington state have the educational support and tools to create innovative solutions as they become the next leaders in STEM.
  • Mission: We empower students by providing them with a community that supports their pathways to higher education in STEM through mentorships, academic programs, and interactive workshops.
Contact

Josey Sechrist

Campus Director of MESA
Email Address josey.sechrist@wsu.edu
LocationEngineering and Computer Science (VECS) 201J
Phone (360) 546-9355

About the Program

MESA is a nationally recognized organization known for effective academic development that supports STEM education and equity. Established to serve students through various centers across the state, the program provides strategies that empower parents, provide teacher training, and build student confidence.

The MESA College Prep Program offers:

  • Academic enrichment in- and out-of-school
  • Academic supports
  • Educator professional development
  • Family engagement
  • Mentoring
  • Post-secondary planning
  • Senior transition to post-secondary
  • STEM career experiences
  • STEM competitions
  • Student recruitment outreach

MESA Day Regional STEM Competition

The official corporate logo badge for MESA SW Washington on a white background

WSU Vancouver hosts the regional MESA Day competition, a dynamic event where middle and high school students showcase human-centered design solutions to real-world challenges. Throughout the academic year, participants collaborate in small groups to identify problems rooted in science, technology, engineering and math. Students design viable projects to address inequities within their local communities.

Top-performing teams from the regional event at WSU Vancouver advance to the state competition in Seattle, Washington. State winners earn the opportunity to compete at the national MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition. This hands-on learning experience empowers the next generation of STEM innovators and leaders in Southwest Washington.

Complete Project Components

The competition evaluates student teams across four core project components:

  1. NEDC: National Engineering and Design Competition
  2. Design Proposal: Students use a standardized template to provide a brief, non-technical overview of their project inspiration and initial design concept.
  3. Academic Poster: Teams prepare a printed poster highlighting their design process, data collection, prototype and recommendations for future development during a public symposium.
  4. Technical Pitch: Participants deliver a presentation to demonstrate their technical knowledge, detail their design process and showcase prototype functionality.
  5. Symposium: Students engage directly with an audience and panel judges in a conference-style setting to discuss their decision-making process and answer questions.

Volunteer Opportunities

Community members can support STEM education in Southwest Washington by volunteering during the event. No prior experience is necessary. Open volunteer roles include:

  • Activity Leads
  • Food Service
  • Judges
  • Photography

Important Volunteer Requirements

All MESA volunteers are required to register formally with our partner school districts: Vancouver Public Schools (VPS) and Evergreen Public School District (EPS). Please note that both districts require a standard background check.

Classroom Collaborators

We are always looking for passionate collaborators to present in middle and high school classrooms about STEM careers. If you are a industry professional eager to inspire the next generation, we want to hear from you!

MESA Mentor Program

WSU Vancouver and Clark College students can apply to be part of the mentor program, where computer science and all engineering students support middle and high school MESA students and teachers in VPS and EPS classrooms. Support is focused on:

  • Coding using Arduino
  • Electrical & Mechanical Engineering to build prototypes

Get Involved

To sign up for a role or learn more about getting involved, please contact Josey Sechrist:

  • Email: josey.sechrist@wsu.edu
  • Phone: 360-546-9355

OUR NETWORK

COLLEGE PLANNING

Evergreen Public School District

Evergreen Public School District

  1. Wy’East Middle School
  2. Evergreen High School
  3. Heritage High School
Vancouver Public School District

Vancouver Public School District

  1. McLoughlin Middle School
  2. Discovery Middle School
  3. Fort Vancouver High School
  4. Hudson’s Bay High School