MESA Marks 20 Years of Empowering STEM Students at Perimeter College

CLARKSTON, Ga. – For two decades, the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College has been a launchpad for student success in STEM. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, MESA continues a legacy that began in California in 1970 and is rooted in access, equity and academic excellence.

Founded at Perimeter in 2006, MESA provides targeted academic support and resources for students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math pathways. The program fosters a strong sense of community and connection for students traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields, including first-generation college students, women and those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

At the heart of the program is the MESA Lab on Perimeter’s Clarkston Campus, which offers a dedicated, academic-focused space designed to support collaboration and innovation. The lab features a computer workspace, lounge area, library stocked with engineering and science textbooks, and a conference room used for group study sessions and workshops.

This spring, the Lab is undergoing renovations to introduce a new mini–maker space which will be known as the MESA Research Nook. The redesigned area will provide bench space for hands-on class projects and independent research, along with secure storage for student work, eliminating the need for students to haul projects across campus or back and forth to their cars.

Each semester, approximately 50 students participate in MESA. Eligible students must be enrolled in a STEM pathway such as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, Math or Physics and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, though most participants have GPAs of 3.5 or higher. Through peer tutoring, workshops, collaborative study sessions and meaningful conversations, students build both academic confidence and professional skills.

MESA’s impact is reflected in the remarkable achievements of its students. Program alumni have transferred to prestigious institutions including Georgia State University’s Atlanta campus, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Yale University. MESA students have also earned nationally competitive honors such as the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship and the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, along with internal recognitions such as the Student Leadership Excellence Award and the Dean’s Award, the college’s highest honor for outstanding student performance.

Perimeter College will celebrate MESA’s two decades of student support and success at its 20th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, March 23, 2026. This milestone event honors a program that continues to open doors and change lives through STEM education.