Contact
Patricia Gill
MESA Coordinator
(951) 739-7803
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Patricia Gill is the MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) Coordinator for
the MESA Program at Norco College. She is a first-generation college student and the
first in her family to achieve a college degree. Patricia enjoys working with students
and is passionate about student success. She is a strong advocate for students and
works diligently to share STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
opportunities, on/off campus resources, coordinate STEM events and college tours,
internships, research opportunities, and scholarships available to students at Norco
College. She has worked in higher education since 1984 and spent most of her career
dedicated to working with educational support programs that assist first-generation,
low-income college students. She thoroughly enjoys working with STEM students, helping
them realize and achieve their academic and career goals. She is an advisor to the
Norco College Rocketry Team and STEM Club.
She attended Riverside City College earning her associates in arts degree and then
transferred to California State University, San Bernardino. She majored in Business
Administration Management with a concentration in Human Resources and obtained her
bachelor's degree. She has worked at Norco College for over 17 years. Prior to working
at Norco College, she worked as a Student Affairs Officer for the Title III Project-HSI
Grant in the Graduate School of Education, Administrative Assistant in the California
Educational Research Cooperative in the Graduate School of Education and Travel Supervisor
in the Accounting Department at the University of California, Riverside for 22 years.
During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son Antonio and extended
family. She is an avid photographer and loves to cook, travel, and explore the outdoors.
Brittnee Quintanar
MESA Counselor
(951) 291-8588
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My name is Brittnee Quintanar and I have worked in higher education since 2006 and
as a California Community College (CCC) counselor and instructor since 2014. As an
alumni of two Inland Empire CCCs, I am honored to give back to the system that opened
many doors of economic upward mobility for myself and my family. I absolutely love being a CCC counselor and helping students like yourself realize and achieve your
career and academic goals! I especially enjoy working with STEM students, helping
you navigate a rigorous course load and successful transfer to a university for completion
of your bachelor's degree. I look forward to getting to know you and learning about
your personal academic and career goals. Please reach out to me with any questions
or assistance scheduling a MESA counseling appointment.
MESA Benefits & Services
The benefits of joining MESA include:
- Enhance your educational experience while completing the first two years of a bachelor's
degree
- Gain industry knowledge
- Make friends who have similar academic and career interests
- Develop close relationships with faculty members
- Develop and improve your academic leadership skills
- Connect with student and professional organizations to enhance your personal and professional
development
MESA Services include:
- MESA Orientation
- Enrichment in math, physics, chemistry, biology, and other related sciences through
specialized tutoring, academic excellence workshops, and summer boot camps
- Career planning
- Academic and transfer planning
- University and College tours
- Internship and Research opportunities
- Mentorship, Conferences, and other Networking opportunities
MESA, STEM & Transfer Activities
Eligibility Requirements
- Designate Norco College as your "home campus"
- Be U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, Dreamer, or DACA student
- Declare a calculus-based (minimum of one semester required) major in science, engineering, math, or related
field
- Intent to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree
- No previous bachelor’s degree
- Demonstrate financial need by receiving financial aid (e.g., CA Promise Grant, Pell
Grant, CalGrant, CA DREAM Act, Federal Work study, CalFresh, GI Bill, TANF)
- First-generation college student (parent(s) do not have bachelor's degree)
If you do not meet all of the above eligibility requirements, please inquire about joining our ASEM program.
ASEM members are "Friends of MESA". Participation in ASEM allows students access to
most MESA benefits. The only limitation is we are not able to fund out-of-state student
conferences or provide stipends.
ASEM students must meet one of the following:
- Option 1- Be First Generation and STEM Major
- Option 2- Demonstrate Financial Need and STEM Major
Application
If you are interested in joining MESA please complete the MESA Application.
Please email Patricia Gill (MESA Coordinator) with any questions.
Location & Hours
The MESA Center is located in STEM Center (room 122) on the south side of campus. You will also find
MESA staff in the STEM Center. View our exact location by clicking on the image.
8:30 am - 6 pm (Mon, Wed, Fri)
8:30 am - 7 pm (Tues & Thur)