MESA History

The Colorado Minority Engineering Association, Inc. (CMEA), was incorporated in 1979, and is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. Since 1980, CMEA has continued its administration of the MESA program for elementary, middle and high school students. Starting with thirty students in three schools, the MESA program has grown to over 3,000 students in 154 schools in the 2005-06 school year. Most of our schools are located along the Front Range, but MESA programs are also located in schools in the Four Corners, San Luis Valley and Grand Junction areas. We continue to receive requests to implement MESA programs from school district officials, but due to funding limitations, are not always able to comply.

"College has been a life-long dream, and MESA is helping make it a reality. I would have never have thought that I could be going to college because I'm the only one in my immediate family that has tried to make an effort for further education. I am planning on going to veterinary school."

-Amanda Thomas
-Graduate of the Alternative Center for Education
-Now attending Front Range Community College