Oregon MESA Expands with Two New Regional Centers in Washington County and Lane County

Oregon MESA, a Portland State University-based after school STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program that equips public school teachers to help underserved and underrepresented middle and high school students excel in STEM, is proud to announce the launch of two new regional centers: Pacific University in Washington County and Connected Lane County in Lane County. These new centers will serve as local hubs for MESA's programs, extending the organization's reach and impact throughout the state.

In the past decade, Oregon MESA has expanded its efforts beyond the Multnomah County region, working in partnership with local communities to ensure that its invention education programs are tailored to meet the specific cultural needs of each region. With existing regional centers in partnerships with Oregon Institute of Technology in Marion and Klamath County, MESA continues to build on this regional model to bring STEM education to more students in diverse communities.

"Our regional partners are embedded in the communities MESA serves, bringing a wealth of local knowledge and expertise. Regional partnerships are crucial to successful statewide implementation of MESA" said Elizabeth Stock, Oregon MESA's Executive Director. "Pacific University and Connected Lane County have already demonstrated their commitment to advancing STEM education for students from underrepresented backgrounds, and we are excited to see the positive impact they will have."

Pacific University will support the existing MESA chapters and help advance growth goals in the region through its role as the Washington County regional center. With campuses in Forest Grove and Hillsboro, Pacific University's long-standing commitment to educational access and community engagement makes it a natural partner for MESA.

"For 175 years, Pacific University has been dedicated to building a diverse and sustainable community dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. As part of that mission, community engagement has long been one of our core principles," said Brian Jackson, director of Pacific's School of Natural Sciences and associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. "We are excited to promote and support the MESA efforts in Washington County as a way of fostering innovative thinking and opportunities, helping our future STEM leaders discover their purpose."

Pacific University has the academic and professional capacity to develop the MESA program to meet the goals of supporting local youth and families. Its diverse student population mirrors the cultural experience of students and families in surrounding communities that includes students who are first generation, immigrant, refugee, historically marginalized, and/or low-income.

Connected Lane County has been a valuable partner to MESA for several years, successfully running two invention clubs in the Eugene and Springfield areas. "Our partnership with Oregon MESA has been transformative over the past four years," shared Heidi Larwick, Connected Lane County's Executive Director. "We've seen firsthand how introducing young learners to STEM concepts in an informal, peer-driven environment can spark curiosity and open doors that traditional school systems sometimes miss. These youth are not just learning skills but gaining confidence and redefining what STEM means to them."

This partnership will strategically work to bring MESA programs to middle schools across Lane County. As Heidi Larwick explains, "Early exposure to STEM can be a game changer, helping youth discover passions and talents they didn't know they had. We're hoping to spark interest at an even younger age, ultimately shifting the narrative around who gets to be part of the STEM future. By reaching underrepresented communities, especially young people of color, we hope to see a lasting change in the diversity of youth entering STEM fields."

The Lane County expansion is made possible through a generous $40,000 grant from the John and Ginger Niemeyer Foundation, a Supporting Organization of Oregon Community Foundation. Belle Cantor, Oregon Community Foundation's Senior Program Officer for Education, shared: "It is critically important that all students, especially those that have historically been underserved, have access to high quality STEM education opportunities. We are excited to see Oregon MESA provide access to this programming to more students across the state."

As Oregon MESA continues to grow, new regional centers will play a critical role in shaping the future of STEM education in their respective regions. Oregon MESA is positioned to expand its impact and bring life-changing STEM opportunities to more students than ever before. By identifying and bridging gaps, working to change systems, and creating safe spaces, Oregon MESA, Pacific University, and Connected Lane County are working together for youth success, shaping the future workforce and creating spaces where every young person, regardless of their background, feels they belong in the world of STEM.

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