The College of Marin MESA Program provides students with the opportunity to attend premier STEM conferences such as SACNAS National Diversity in STEM, Conference for Engineering Diversity, Silicon Valley Women in Engineering, and the SUMMA Pre-Health Conference—at no cost. These experiences allow students to deepen their knowledge in their chosen fields, connect with potential mentors, and explore diverse career pathways. Students return from these conferences inspired, motivated, and better prepared to pursue their academic and professional goals.
STEM conferences typically feature keynote speakers, workshops, research presentations, and networking events that highlight current topics and opportunities in science and engineering. First-time attendees can expect a welcoming and engaging environment designed to connect students with professionals, peers, and resources that support their academic and career growth. No background experience or knowledge is required!
Conferences
Pre-Health Conference
UC Davis
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Conference for Engineering Diversity
San Jose State University
Saturday, October 24, 2026
oSTEM Conference
Albuquerque, New Mexico
October 22-24, 2026
SACNAS National Diversity in STEM
Long Beach, CA
October 29 - 31, 2026
SUMMA Pre-Health Conference
Stanford University
2027 Date TBD, Typically Saturday in February
Silicon Valley Women in Engineering
San Jose State University
2027 Date TBD, Typically Saturday in March
MESA Student Leadership Retreat
Santa Cruz, CA
April 2-4, 2027
MESA Transfer Conference
Santa Rosa, CA
2027 Date TBD
UndocuSTEM Conference
De Anza College
2027 Date TBD, Typically Thurday in May
Open Sauce
San Francisco, CA
July 17-19, 2026
Students may express interest in conference by completing the linked interest form.
"Sometimes it can be difficult to see who is behind the science and research that is happening around us. As someone who is a first-generation college student, I have never had the opportunity to interact and connect with scientists from very similar backgrounds as myself. Interacting and being in the same space with so many scientists who are currently working in different levels of research and industry has expanded my perspective on how many more people who have walked similar paths are currently and have previously accomplished great things in science and in life. Overall, I think the SACNAS conference has given me a better sense of how it is possible to find a community not just in science but also in life."
-Deivi, Computer Science
"Attending the SACNAS Conference allowed me to bring my fullest self into a STEM environment where I was able to connect with people who had similar cultures to mine. It gave me the opportunity to converse with professionals who understood the struggles that Latinos face in STEM. I was lucky enough to be able to converse about science in Spanish for the first time with amazing PhD students who motivated me and advised me in my educational journey and personal life."
- Donna, Biochemistry