From left to right: CSM President Dr. Manuel Alejandro Pérez; CSM Chemistry Professor Catherine Ciesla, PhD; PhD Student Megan Nolan; CSM MESA Project Director Olivia Viveros; Megan Ajanian, PhD; Stanford Developmental Biology Dept. Chair Anne Villenuave, PhD; PhD Student Summer Chen; PhD Student Jane Lee; PhD Student Robert Hall.
College of San Mateo was recently honored by Stanford University with its Community Partnership Award, recognizing CSM’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program’s impactful collaboration with the Stanford Community College Outreach Program (CCOP) and its commitment to expanding STEM opportunities for community college students.
The award was presented during the Community Partnership Awards & Roland Prize Luncheon on March 3, 2026, held at the Stanford Faculty Club. The recognition celebrates organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership in connecting students to academic research, mentorship, and pathways to four-year institutions.
Representing the college at the ceremony were College of San Mateo President Dr. Manuel Alejandro Pérez, MESA Director Olivia Viveros, and Chemistry Professor Catherine Ciesla, whose work has helped strengthen the partnership between CSM and Stanford in advancing STEM education.
In addition to Stanford’s recognition, MESA also received a Certificate of Recognition from California State Assemblymember Marc Berman, acknowledging the program’s regional impact and leadership in supporting community college students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Expanding Access to STEM Opportunities
For years, the collaboration between College of San Mateo’s MESA program and Stanford’s CCOP initiative has created meaningful opportunities for students to engage with STEM research, faculty mentors, and academic enrichment experiences.
These efforts are designed to ensure that talented students, particularly those who have been historically excluded from the STEM fields, have the support and exposure needed to succeed in rigorous academic pathways and transfer to four-year universities.
“Partnerships like this help open doors that many community college students may not have imagined were possible,” said MESA Director Olivia Viveros. “By connecting our students with research experiences, mentorship, and the resources of a world-class university, we’re helping them see themselves as scientists, engineers, and innovators — and giving them the tools to get there.”
Through this partnership, CSM students have been able to participate in research opportunities, workshops, academic enrichment programs, and mentorship experiences that connect community college learning with university-level scholarship.
Impact Beyond the Bay Area
The impact of this collaboration extends well beyond the College of San Mateo campus.
Just days before the Stanford awards ceremony, CSM hosted a Day of Science event in partnership with CCOP, welcoming nearly 300 students from community colleges across Northern California for a day of STEM exploration, hands-on learning, and connection with faculty and researchers.
The event highlights how the partnership between CSM and Stanford continues to grow as a regional hub for STEM engagement, creating opportunities not only for CSM students but also for students from other community colleges throughout the region.
Together, these initiatives are helping expand access to research experiences, strengthen transfer pathways, and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Advancing Opportunity Through Partnership
The recognition from Stanford and the California State Assembly underscores the strength of College of San Mateo’s MESA program and its commitment to collaborative partnerships that advance student success.
By working closely with university partners like Stanford, CSM continues to expand opportunities for students to explore STEM fields, build academic confidence, and pursue advanced degrees and careers in high-impact disciplines.
As the partnership continues to grow, the work of the MESA program stands as a powerful example of how intentional collaboration between community colleges and research universities can transform educational pathways—not just for one campus, but for students across an entire region.
