MESA at Seattle Central College

11/24/2022

May you celebrate the thanksgiving day with love in your heart, prosperous vision in your mind, and gratitude in your being. Thanksgiving wishes to everyone❗️❤️

06/24/2020

Dear beloved MESA community,

While we take care of ourselves and our community through this pandemic, we cannot ignore the rampant and violent racism, police brutality, xenophobia, and hate that has plagued our country for generations. Sadly, you know all too well what this message is going to be about.

In the four years that I have been director of MESA, I have written at least six of these messages to you in the wake of the senseless deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland and now George Floyd. There are too many more victims who never made the headlines; I know that grief weighs heavily on me. The unfortunate reality is that white supremacy has and will affect members of our community every day. Change is infuriatingly slow and the instruments of change are imperfect. MESA was created in the 1970s to address the inequities of the education system towards Black and Brown students, and we are still here 50 years later.

It is important to refuse to sit quietly and not ignore what is going on. Peaceful protests have erupted all across the globe and that is a wonderful way to come together in community and be heard. But I also know that many in our community feel weary right now. Finals are two weeks away. Exposure to a deadly virus is real. Many of you have reached out to me feeling bad because you are not protesting and feel helpless. I want to share with you the wise words of our sister and Associate Vice President from the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Dr. Valerie Hunt: “Delay is not denial. Your pain and decision-making is resulting from the multiple assaults on you and your community. The work of introspection and reconciliation is not instantaneous. The love and commitment to yourselves and to the communities you care for have to reshape itself after the onslaught, then the love work has room to take root”.

For our Black and Brown students remember that pursuing your education in a field that lacks representation is itself a radical act! There are many ways to show up for the movement and some of those options are outlined below. But the most important thing you can do is take care of your mental and physical health and continue to pursue your education. When you get into a position of power in your career you can help lift a POC up with you so their journey is a little smoother and more welcoming.

For our other students listen to your POC brothers and sisters who are in pain and above all educate yourselves to be a strong ally.

As a white-passing Latinx, this work is how I show up, but I know that I can do more. I vow to do just that by being intentional about decolonizing the literature and entertainment that I consume, having more guest speakers and mentors that reflect the diversity of MESA students, and shutting down the colorism that is prevalent in the Latinx community.

I encourage you to reach out to campus services for support:

Multicultural Services: https://seattlecentral.edu/campus-life/student-support-and-services/multicultural-services
Counseling Center: https://seattlecentral.edu/campus-life/student-support-and-services/counseling
Student Leadership: https://seattlecentral.edu/campus-life/student-leadership-and-activities
Safety While Protesting: https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flibguides.seattlecentral.edu%2FStaying_Safer_While_Rising_Up&data=02%7C01%7C%7C62636ac5d8d44df6c78308d808ca3758%7C02d8ff38d7114e31a9156cb5cff788df%7C0%7C0%7C637269012218409825&sdata=yUfvJt95e7%2BQcjOb43COucvQExasmjh%2BsL53xY88EkU%3D&reserved=0

In addition to support services offered by our college below are community resources:
Community Support and Justice Resources: https://libguides.seattlecentral.edu/communitysupportandjustice
Ways to Show up for Racial Justice: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T2FrypT3i0cvnLIvqyIWYkXk3umt1ZV8iSDcvQeQI44/edit
BLM Educational Toolkits: https://blacklivesmatter.com/resources/
BLM: Ways You Can Help: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/


Stay well,

Marilyn Saavedra-Leyva
MESA Program Director
Seattle Central College

SCC is operating remotely in response to COVID-19. Learn more at newscenter.seattlecentral.edu/coronavirus-update Support our students by contributing to Seattle Colleges' COVID-19 Emergency Fund.

05/27/2020

“On Wednesday, for the first time since the retirement of the space shuttles in July 2011, NASA astronauts are scheduled to blast off from American soil on an American rocket to the International Space Station. In contrast to astronaut launches in the past when NASA ran the show, this time a private company, SpaceX, will be in charge of mission control. The company, founded by Elon Musk, built the Falcon 9 rocket and the capsule, Crew Dragon, which the two astronauts will travel in.

The mission is scheduled to lift off at 4:33 p.m. Eastern time from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Coverage of the launch on NASA Television will be begin at 12:15 p.m. The Times will also provide a live video of the launch”. To learn more check out this NY Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/science/spacex-launch-nasa.html

Watch the launch here: https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/

NASA Television provides live coverage of launches, spacewalks and other mission events, as well as the latest news briefings, video files, and the This Week report.

05/27/2020

The Martin Family Foundation Honors Scholarship application is open and has a deadline of July 6, 2020!

05/27/2020

Check out the UW Transfer Newsletter and learn of new programs, changes in policy, and other transfer related information!

Welcome to what is, so far, a very difficult and unusual Spring! I hope this newsletter finds everyone well. I am inspired and grateful to see all of us working together to support our students and each other as we are. Thanks to all for the innovation and can-do spirit!

05/14/2020

Let’s Talk About Covid-19
Q&A session with expert, Professor M. Elizabeth 'Betz' Halloran of Fred Hutch and UW | TODAY at 3PM

Prof. Halloran is currently working with the World Health Organization and the US federal government on strategies to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her research encompasses a wide variety of infectious diseases and vaccines including malaria, influenza, dengue, cholera, meningitis, Ebola, chikungunya, rotavirus, and Zika. Prof. Halloran is the Director of the Center for Inference and Dynamics of Infectious Diseases (CIDID), based at Fred Hutch and the founder and Director of the Summer Institute in Statistics and Modeling in Infectious Diseases (SISMID) at UW.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95793137352?pwd=SEs5em96WjFkNXhSSHhKRkc2OUxwUT09

Zoom Password: MESAcorona

05/07/2020

My wonderful MESA students. I want you to know that YOU MATTER! Ahmaud Arbery was chased down, shot, and killed by two white supremacists back in February for jogging while Black. The killers have yet to be convicted.

President Obama, in his commencement speech at Howard University said that, "to bring about structural change, awareness is not enough". You can take action from home by signing petitions, calling representatives, and finding ways to help your local community.

Most importantly, take care of yourself, so that you can continue your educational journey and be positioned to lift up the Black and Brown communities that are most vulnerable to the inequities of our system.

If you need a space to chat and be in community, or to simply take a deep collective breath, check out the resources below:

Mindfulness Meditation Sessions via Zoom
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
https://seattlecentral.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/Mindful%20Meditation%20flyer%20Spring%202020%5B1586%5D_0.pdf

Black & African American Student Lounge
Thursdays, 2-2:45PM
Zoom ID: 691-059-515
Email [email protected] for Zoom Meeting password.
Hosted by Raheem Rakim, President of the Black Student Union

Students of Color Lounge
Tuesdays 1:30-2:15PM
Zoom ID: 653-572-749
Email [email protected] for Zoom Meeting password.
Hosted by Christie A. Santos, Associate Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

President Obamas commencement speech at Howard University: https://youtu.be/_K4MctEmkmI

This is Ahmaud ArberyHe was out for a jog when he was chased down, shot, and killed by two white supremacists. We must demand the justice he deserves. Click below to get started or call 770.800.0689 to demand justice for Ahmaud right away. Sign the Petition Make Calls  Ahmaud Arbery was only 25 yea...

05/07/2020

Check it out MESA fam!

Legendary women, writers and visionaries Angela Davis and Nikki Giovanni will be joining GirlTrek’s FB LIVE for a FIRST-EVER JOINT discussion this Friday unpacking the trials of the Black women who came before us, honoring their triumphs and acknowledging the secret tools we must recall in pursuit...

05/06/2020

05/05/2020

Looking for community during Covid-19?
Feeling nervous and underprepared for class?
Need a comfortable space to ask questions?

Join our weekly (virtual) Academic Excellence Workshops (AEWs) in the following courses:

BIO 213 | CHEM 161 | CHEM 162 | CSC 143 | MATH 151 | MATH 152

AEWs are a community of students working collaboratively to understand course material with the guidance of a student facilitator. Workshop activities are designed to build strong foundations in the topics being covered in class so you can pass your exams!

You can expect a relaxed and fully interactive environment where students can ask questions without judgement, get test taking tips, and get to know your classmates.

AEW Workshops begin April 27 – June 15

All workshops take place on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/99390869542?pwd=am5Sdlo0N1BiNERzdm53MFlWRVRzUT09
Zoom Password: mesaAEW

Questions? Contact Monisha Gonzales at [email protected]

To request disability related accommodations please contact the Disability Support Services Office at [email protected]

05/05/2020

Do you miss the MESA Center?
Are you wondering how your fellow MESA students are handling Covid-19?

Join the (almost) daily MESA Virtual Lounge!

The MESA Virtual Lounge is a place where you can catch up with MESA staff and other MESA students, ask quick questions about anything, gather in study groups, attend MESA events, play some games, watch movies, or just hang out!

You can expect to:
- Get your questions answered (about coursework, applications, future plans, life, etc.)
- Receive help in Chemistry, Biology, Math, Physics, and more
- Attend MESA events throughout the quarter
- Watch movies, play games, chat with other people

Join us on Zoom: Monday through Thursday from 1 PM to 4 PM, every week.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95562462453?pwd=QkcwRTZtcDFhRVRnWWFlU3BuaWxBZz09
Password: MESAlounge

**You can also view the MESA Events Calendar to see scheduled MESA events and tutor availability** https://calendar.google.com/calendar/b/5?cid=c2VhdHRsZWNlbnRyYWxtZXNhQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ

Questions? Contact Monisha Gonzales at [email protected]

To request disability related accommodations please contact the Disability Support Services Office at [email protected]

04/30/2020

Quarantine during the bubonic plague resulted in the creation of calculus!

Isolated during the Great Plague of London, the philosopher engaged in the groundbreaking discoveries that marked his "year of wonders."