MESA Honors

Though geared towards third and fourth-year+ students, all MESA Members are eligible to participate in the MESA Honors Program. The MESA honors program is for exceptional students who want to further their educational and professional development while earning distinction within the MESA program! The program is designed to engage and challenge students who are motivated to make the most of their educational experience.

The deadline to sign up for Fall 2022 is Friday, September 9, 2022.

Students who fulfill all of the requirements of this program can earn a stipend of up to $1000. Please note that this award may reduce or cancel other financial aid you have been found eligible for through University, federal or state funds. Please contact financial aid if you have any questions.

Students will also receive an Honors Cord that they can wear at graduation.

Honors Program Requirements: Students will meet with MESA Staff three times during the semester/year to do the following:

Meeting one: Goal setting
Meeting two: Check-in
Meeting three: Check-in

At the end of the YEAR/SEMESTER students will submit the following:

A resume or CV
A personal statement and/or cover letter
A letter of recommendation/support (not from MESA staff)

Pillars & Activities

Educational Advancement

Attend either: Grad School Info Session or CSU Graduate Diversity Forum.
Branch out and try something new; take a course, volunteer, engage in activities outside your area of interest.
Complete & participate in our Canvas Course.
Complete applications to graduate school or job.
Learn new skills through an online certificate or JC program.
Participate in undergraduate research experience, internship, or industry experience.
Present research at a state, regional, or national conference.
Submit research abstract & present at SSU symposium.
Take the GRE, MCAT, EIT, or prep class to take one of these exams.
Visit a potential graduate school or workplace (on-site or virtual).

Academic Advising

Enroll in UNIV 238 and apply to Orientation & Family Program jobs.
Fill in the MySSU degree planner for the remaining semesters and have an academic plan towards graduation.
Give or attend an advising presentation to MESA students.
Informational Interview or networking with professionals or alumni about career & educational pathways.
Make a long-term educational & professional plan, set goals, and meet with an advisor.
Meet with an advisor (Faculty Advisor or Academic Advisor).
Retake or supplement GPA with JC courses or Summer/Winter intersession SSU courses.
Serve as an orientation leader for summer sessions to help Science & Tech First Years.

Academic Support

Attend MESA meetings at least two times a semester.
Present or attend a STEMbyte.
Research and apply to scholarships, including FASFA & SSU scholarships.
Serve as a MESA tutor.
Serve as Supplemental Instruction Leader, LARC Tutor, or TA.
Set up or join a study group.
Visit MESA tutoring two times (can attend LARC or Writing Center instead).
Visit professor office hours two times in one semester.
Visit SI tutoring two times in one semester.

Community Leadership

Attend a community meeting (i.e., Los Cien, City, or County Council).
Be active politically or contribute to a political or social justice movement.
Become an elected club officer and serve for at least one semester.
Join a club, attend club meetings two times in one semester.
Participate as a MESA mentor or mentee.
Participate in educational community service events or MESA tabling.
Participate in non-educational community service (i.e., JUMP, food drives, park clean up).
Take a service-learning class for credit (see SSU’s CCE website).

Professional Development

Attend a professional conference (MESA leadership conference, major-related/industry).
Create Handshake, Jumpstart, or LinkedIn Profile, or completely update your info.
Create or update your resume or C.V. and submit it to mesa@sonoma.edu for review.
Join a professional organization or network session with professionals.
Meet with an industry or research mentor.
Meet with the Career Center advisor and use the Career Center toolkit through Canvas.
Practice and prepare for an interview or mock interview practice.
Visit career center, drop-in hours or pop-ups/events, or attend Career Fest.