MESA

Congratulations to the MESA 2020-2021 Scholarship Recipients:

Joanna serves as mentor to first-year students of College Assistance Migrant Program, PAL Facilitator for English 1102, and Diversity and Inclusion Comprehensive Task Force. “The essence of America is the idea that anyone can emerge from humble situations and do extraordinary things and it is that dream that I seek to accomplish. Though I have gone through a variety of hardships—I have yet to give up. I am constantly seeking new opportunities, new goals, new ways to better myself, and most importantly: new ways to help my community. I want to live a life of service.”

Diana has taken advantage of numerous opportunities including Study Abroad trip to Senegal to learn French, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, PAL facilitator for the POLS 3100 class, and National Council of Undergraduate Research. “Living in the United States has blessed me with many chances for better education, better health, and more safety overall. Unfortunately, I understand that the rest of the world does not have equal opportunity. I know I am not yet at a stage of my life where I can make a major difference but one day I will be. But it all starts by listening and hearing everyone’s story. Not only this, but I want to leave an impact on lives by building relationships. I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference in someone else’s life for the better."

Yasmin is an active member on campus who has participated in VSU Ambassadors Program, Honors Student Association, Tri-Beta, Latin American Students Association, and VSU WNV Mosquito Surveillance Program. “As a member of the less than 3% Hispanic population of my hometown, I have experienced the fear and uncertainty that many families face in health care due to language barriers and cultural differences. Through my experience with migrant farmworkers, I have strengthened my determination towards becoming a Pediatrician. My goal as a future pediatrician is to become a healthcare provider that will bring comfort, relief, and inspiration to people who are not fluent English speakers.”

 

 

Students: Sign up for a MESA Mentor! 

A MESA Mentor is a faculty/staff member who will meet with you monthly and/or as needed to assist with your academic, social, and extracurricular success at VSU.

Please complete the form here so we can assign a MESA Mentor to you based on compatibility. Contact pjculbertson@valdosta.edu should you need additional information. 

SIGN-UP FORM: https://tinyurl.com/MESAMentee

Faculty/Staff: Sign up to be a MESA Mentor & Join the Committee! 

As a mentor, you will be assigned 1-2 students and meet with them monthly and/or as needed to assist with their academic, social, and extracurricular success at VSU.

Please complete the form here so we can assign a MESA Mentor to you based on compatibility.  Contact pjculbertson@valdosta.edu should you need additional information. 

SIGN-UP FORM: https://tinyurl.com/MESAMentor  

Thank you to our current MESA Mentorship Program participants!

MESA Mentors:

• Octavio Aguado
• Dr. Meagan Arrastia-Chisholm
• Sandra P. Barrios
• Nicole Bustos
• Dr. Linda de la Garza
• Lizbeth Heath
• Dr. Nandan Kumar Jha
• Yvonne LeRoy-Landers
• Dr. James Martinez
• Dr. Hoa Nguyen
• Dr. Gwen Scott Ruttencutter

Engagement Subcommittee Chair: 

List of related cultural student organizations 

• Please access Blazerlink Presence to view student organizations and contact to learn how to get involved. https://valdosta.presence.io/organizations 
• Caribbean Student Association 
• College Assistant Migrant Program 
• Latin American Student Association 
• Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated 
• Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority 
• Society of International Students 
• Spanish Club 
• Student Government Association (all cultures) 
• Campus Activities Board (all cultures) 

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Past events    

Pachanga! Inclusive Latinx Festival

Not Hidden Figures: A Workshop on Diversity & Inclusion in Undergraduate Research
Collaboratively hosted by MESA & Blazer Summer Research Institute Steering Committee

 

Consejos from Across the Industries: Tips for Success

 

Educational Opportunities & Success, Guest Speaker Representative Brenda Lopez Romero (First Latina Lawmaker in Georgia Legislature)

 

 

Moving Forward: Tools for Success, Guest Speaker Ricardo Munoz 

 

Academic & Career Workshop Collaboration with MESA, Career Opportunities & Academic Support Center 

 

Queer Migrations and the Latinx Television Reboot 
https://youtu.be/G5eLYzFrWWE

 

 

Salsa on the Lawn
https://youtu.be/f5HQYhHbe_4

 

Selling the Value of Diversity & Language to Employers
https://youtu.be/U2ObWxqdV7A

                                                                                                                                   

Support Subcommittee Chair: Dr. Meagan Arrastia-Chisholm 

 

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Scholarship Recpients 2020-2021

Joanna Olguin

Diana Henriquez

Yasmin Guzman

Scholarship Recipients 2019-2020

Marisa Lauer

 

 

Eddy Castellanos 

 

 

Achieve Subcommittee Chair: 

Please access the following resources to augment you academic and career achievement. 

• Active Listening Note Taking and Participating
• Coping in College
• Critical and Creative Thinking 
• Developing Effective Resume
• Goal Setting and Managing Roles 
• Interview Skills
• Job Search
• Partnering with Faculty