MESA University Centers

Colorado MESA is pleased to announce our MESA University Centers at the Colorado State University Fort Collins and at the University of Colorado Boulder, in addition to the MESA Statewide office at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.  The Centers are funded by the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Grant and made possible through our collaboration with the University of Colorado at Boulder Multicultural Engineering Program and Colorado State University Research Center. 

The Colorado MESA University Center Director positions were created to support and expand our after school program in the WIRED region. Each director brings high level of experience, energy, enthusiasm and a passion for students and the Colorado MESA mission. They also bring knowledge of working with student support programs who serve under-represented minority and female students in STEM education. The MESA Center Directors will provide resources, support, coordination and program outreach for our K-12 MESA programs.  The Colorado State University Director will oversee northern Colorado including Larimer, Weld and Adams counties. The University of Colorado at Boulder Director will provide support and outreach to Boulder, Jefferson, Denver and Arapahoe counties. Both Directors will provide overlapping support as needed by MESA and the WIRED grant.

The University Directors secondary role will be a liaison between schools, advisors and the university for the MESA program. They will assist in coordinating university visits, developing faculty support, university outreach programs and recruiting university mentors. 

Colorado State University MESA Center
Melanie Haas, Center Director

CSU Phone: 970.491.1044 (non voice mail)
MESA Phone:  303.556.8547 
Email: haasm@cahs.colostate.edu

Melanie Haas joined Colorado MESA as the Colorado State University MESA Center Director in early September.  She has thirty-five years of experience within the Denver Public Schools as a teacher, principal and district superintendent. Her experience as a district administrator and work at Metropolitan State College has given her vast experiences with the education system, management, public relations, collaboration, leadership development and communication. In the short time she has been with MESA, she has proven to be an important asset for MESA and its new WIRED expansion effort. She holds a MA and BA in education from University of Northern Colorado.

University of Colorado Boulder MESA Center
Michele Towers, Center Director

CU Boulder Phone:  303.492.5184
MESA Phone:  303.556.8547
Email: michele.towers@cudenver.edu

Michele Towers joined Colorado MESA at the beginning of October. She has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Oklahoma State University and brings over 20 years of practical engineering experience to Colorado MESA. In addition, As the founder of New Directions, a life coaching and consulting organization, Michele understands organization development, networking, relationship building and the need to increase our STEM education pool. She is a skilled technical writer, highly motivated, personable and purposed driven professional. She has several years experience working with under-represented youth and the community and has dedicated her life to helping others and youth to make every day count.