MESA Assistant Coordinator

University of the Pacific; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of the Pacific, through its MESA program, is seeking an Assistant Coordinator to support event planning, student activities, and program operations for college prep and university initiatives in Stockton and local school districts.

The role involves coordinating scheduling, enrollment, outreach, and collaboration with educators, providing hands-on activities, site visits, and leadership experiences for K-16 students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required and experience in program coordination or teaching preferred.
• Minimum one year of event planning experience for groups of 500+ attendees.
• Experience working with K-16 students is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute MESA events and activities for college prep and university programs.
• Coordinate with coordinators, staff, and school partners to ensure smooth events.
• Assist with MESA Day planning, enrollment data, and classroom support.
• Support recruitment, summer programs, and leadership activities for students.
• Maintain MESA website and social media updates; provide teacher support.

Skills

Event planning

Program coordination

Stakeholder collaboration

Student outreach

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Primary Purpose

The Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement ( MESA ) program is a statewide program that helps underserved and underrepresented students achieve success in STEM studies and careers. MESA at University of the Pacific supports university students primarily in the School of Engineering and Computer Science ( SOECS ) and 6th-12th grade students in Stockton and Lodi Unified School Districts and this number continues to grow each year. Since the inception of the Assistant Coordinator position, we have grown from 23 schools (35 advisors) to 30 schools (50 advisors). In collaboration with MESA staff, the MESA Assistant Coordinator will work with the SOECS Student Services team to coordinate activities and programs related to the MESA University and MESA College prep programs. The MESA Assistant Coordinator will be primarily responsible for assisting with event planning and execution for both the College Prep and University Program in collaboration with the Coordinator; MESA Day planning and execution; MESA website and social media updates; MESA classroom and teacher support; and executing MESA middle and high school student activities including recruitment, summer programs and leadership. The MESA Assistant Coordinator will also work to support the MESA team with university student intake as needed and will creatively contribute to achieving long-term program goals and building strategies to meet the changing needs and services of Pacific MESA .

Primary Purpose

The Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement ( MESA ) program is a statewide program that helps underserved and underrepresented students achieve success in STEM studies and careers. MESA at University of the Pacific supports university students primarily in the School of Engineering and Computer Science ( SOECS ) and 6th-12th grade students in Stockton and Lodi Unified School Districts and this number continues to grow each year. Since the inception of the Assistant Coordinator position, we have grown from 23 schools (35 advisors) to 30 schools (50 advisors). In collaboration with MESA staff, the MESA Assistant Coordinator will work with the SOECS Student Services team to coordinate activities and programs related to the MESA University and MESA College prep programs. The MESA Assistant Coordinator will be primarily responsible for assisting with event planning and execution for both the College Prep and University Program in collaboration with the Coordinator; MESA Day planning and execution; MESA website and social media updates; MESA classroom and teacher support; and executing MESA middle and high school student activities including recruitment, summer programs and leadership. The MESA Assistant Coordinator will also work to support the MESA team with university student intake as needed and will creatively contribute to achieving long-term program goals and building strategies to meet the changing needs and services of Pacific MESA .

Essential Functions

Preparation and execution of MESA events. Work with student staff to prepare for events including but not limited to: ordering materials, packing event supplies, preparing signs, printing necessary items, etc. Ensure all preparations are done in advance and ensure event runs smoothly. MESA Day Planning and Event Execution. Work with MESA Coordinator in all planning aspects of MESA Day. Execute MESA College Prep programming for school sites. Includes but is not limited to: Preparing and providing hands‑on activities and materials for school sites Ensuring student liaisons are supported in understanding their role at school sites Ensuring MESA staff are set up with school districts for visits (fingerprinting, Live Scan, etc) Keeping track of school site requests Work directly with teachers through school visits to ensure needs of teachers and students are being met. Present findings to director and coordinator to determine necessary programming adjustments, training, and other improvements as needed Assist new teachers with administering hands‑on activities and MESA Projects Assist with development and maintenance of processes to streamline MESA programming Materials management: Keeping track of inventory Collecting and maintaining materials requests from teachers Determining and managing efficient methods for processing school‑site materials orders Preparing materials lists for student staff to pack for MESA schools Managing deliveries and pick‑ups for school site materials MESA enrollment data management: Compiling enrollment submissions to share with teachers Working with teachers to ensure missing information is obtained Providing enrollment assistance to school sites as needed Ensuring all enrollment completed by deadline Assist with student staff training: Work in tandem with students, walking them through tasks Perform other related duties as assigned or requested University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision‑making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio‑cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio‑economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree. One (1) year of program coordination, specialist, or administrative experience or eight (8) years of experience working in program coordination and/or teaching. One (1) year event planning experience for groups of 500 or more guests. One (1) year experience directly related to working with K-16 students.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Ability to work and connect with first generation students. Ability to work independently and take initiative. Ability to work in fast‑paced, dynamic environments with little to no direction. Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting. Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Work Schedule

Work performed primarily in a standard office environment. Evening and weekend work is required with some regularity (7-12 Saturdays annually) and evening work 1-3 times a month.