Rudy is a local Tucsonan and a proud graduate of the Sunnyside Unified School District. As a first-generation college student, Rudy was not aware of the college process and he and his family had big questions about how to pay for college.

Thomas Ahn joined UC’s Office of the President in December 2016 as the executive director of the MESA program. He brings 27 years of experience as a social entrepreneur in the Bay Area nonprofit sector to his work with MESA.

Rebecca Fisher joined MESA in 2016 as the Nevada MESA Coordinator. This program is run out of the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Engineering Department. With a background in museums and science centers, she hopes to bring her interests with STEM programming to Nevada MESA students.

Dr. Bracey-Green is the Director of the Center for Inclusive Competitiveness and Director of STEM Education, Outreach & Research at Temple College of Engineering. Launched in 2017, the CIC seeks to place underrepresented students on the pathway to success in the workforce and in entrepreneurial careers—with a focus on urban health, economic vitality and environmental sustainability.

Granite School District’s Director of Educational Equity was one of five recipients of the 2013 Human Rights Awards by the Utah School Counselor Association. In addition, Charlene was awarded the Cesar Chavez Peace & Justice Award (2011) and the Martin Luther King Drum Major Award (2014). She is an advocate for social justice, equity and the advancement of multicultural education.