US Congressman Visits MESA Center

San Antonio College hosted United States Congressman Joaquin Castro earlier this week for a visit with SAC’s Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Center, a national program dedicated to serving students studying STEM fields.

During the visit, Congressman Castro toured the MESA Center which opened in 2007. Students and faculty presented an overview of recent undergraduate research taking place at SAC and provided an opportunity for the Congressman to see the SAC Motorsport Team’s award-winning hydrogen-fuel cell vehicle, named “Shark Bait.”  

Students presented on various research projects, including:

• Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Project (UUV)
• Hydroponics and Robotic Seed Propagation
• Bee Bluff, Texas Possible Meteor Impact Site
• White-winged Dove Behavioral Study
• POETS Power Optimization
•  SAC Motor Sports Hydrogen-Duel Cell Vehicle

In addition to the students who presented on their research, SAC faculty and staff were also in attendance, including: Dr. Conrad Krueger, Dean of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Said Fariabi, Chair of Math and Engineering; Dr. Dan Dimitriu, Engineering Program Coordinator; Alfred Alaniz, professor of physics and faculty mentor; Patty Medina, Director of the Title IV Exitos and Puentes Grants, Dr. Barbara Knotts, Director of the Department of Education Tenaces Grant and Dee Dixon, MESA Center Coordinator.

MESA is a national program established in California in 1970 to serve students in preparation for pre-college and college levels in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines. In 2007, San Antonio College became the first—and continues to be the only—MESA site in the state of Texas.

Since it's establishment the MESA program has helped students become scientists, engineers and mathematicians, filling a growing national need for qualified technical professionals.

—SAC—

Related Articles: 

Motorsport Team Drives to Success – Again

SAC Mesa Students Take On A Range of Projects For The Summer