March 1, 2016
Jumpstart a Whopping Success
By Office of Communications
350+ students and their families, 80 faculty and staff volunteers, and 60+ student
performers took part in “Saturday on the Mesa: Jumpstart Your Success” on Feb. 27.
Mesa’s facilities staff had the campus sparkling for the full day of workshops and
activities aimed at preparing prospective students for college life.
Student Services staff and faculty members held 46 workshops focused on topics such
as how to prepare for assessment tests, apply for Financial Aid, make an educational
plan, and transfer to a university. Faculty members discussed Mesa’s degree and certificate
programs in STEM fields, Ethnic Studies, Humanities and more, including hands-on activities
and demonstrations such as extracting DNA from strawberries. Attendees also learned
about the wide range of courses and tutoring options available to Mesa students.
Mesa Student Ambassadors and Peer Navigators led tours of the campus throughout the
day. During the lunch break, student actors, musicians, and dancers entertained attendees
with a variety of performances. Additionally, four $250 scholarships – along with
other giveaways – were awarded to participants in opportunity drawings.
“Jumpstart gave me the chance to visit the campus and meet some of the people who
work here,” said Mission Bay High School student Alfredo Perez, one of the scholarship
winners. “It’s comforting knowing that everyone here supports each other. I’m definitely
going to be coming here in the fall.”
The event was organized and made possible by VP of Student Services Ashanti Hands,
Acting Dean of Student Affairs Genevieve Esguerra, Karla Trutna, Taj Krumholz, Jennifer
Nichols Kearns, Jennifer Nichols Kearns, Monica Romero, Susan Topham, Larry Maxey,
Eddie Arteaga, and faculty and staff volunteers. Thanks for making the event a memorable
experience for prospective students and their families.
Tags: Jumpstart, Student Success, homepage featured