In October 2019, CoA received a United States Department of Education Title V Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Grant becoming PCCD’s first HSI college. In Fall Semester 2021, College of Alameda’s MESA Connect Project received additional grant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve academic outcomes for LatinX students enrolled at HSIs.

The NSF grant supports projects, like CoA’s MESA Connect, that are designed to increase recruitment, persistence, graduation, and transfer rates for Latinx STEM students through cohort-based learning enriched by culturally informed Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs). Intended outcomes include: broadening participation of students that are historically underrepresented in STEM, expanding students’ pathways to continued STEM education, and integration into the STEM workforce.

With the support of administrators, faculty, and classified professionals, CoA’s MESA Connect team held its first student orientation on August 15, 2022. A wide variety of services and workshops were offered at the orientation, including admissions assistance, counseling services, and financial aid information, followed by a campus tour. The cohort started classes on September 13, 2022, and was enrolled in Transition into Community College (LRNRE 505) and College Success (COUN 024).

The NSF grant will fund the College’s MESA Connect team for two years. MESA Connect is a collaboration between CoA and California State University, East Bay (CSUEB).