MESA Roadrunners receive accolades, recognition at annual end-of-year celebration - Crafton Hills College
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Publish Date: May 3, 2026

MESA Graduates

Crafton Hills College’s Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program recognized its largest graduating class since its humble beginning in 2023.

The May 1st celebration took place in the Barbara L. Smith Event Center and highlighted the program’s 2025-26 academic year achievements and its strong sense of togetherness.

“The success of students is not individual. It’s built through community. It’s built through care. And it’s built through people showing up for one another,” said Crafton STEM and MESA Program Director Krysten Audibert. “At the heart of it all, it is all about community.”

Crafton’s MESA Program is an academic support and transfer program for students majoring in STEM disciplines. The program is comprised of 70 Roadrunners, 21 of whom will graduate as part of the Class of 2026 on May 15th.

The program’s goal is to increase the number of community college students who successfully transfer to a four-year institution to continue their studies and is open to first-generation college students.

For Audibert, this year’s recognition ceremony was bittersweet as it marked the end of her students’ Crafton experience but opens the doors to a bright future ahead. It also saw the STEM advocate herself complete her own higher education journey, earning her Ph.D. 

“While this milestone is something I am incredibly proud of, it is also something that makes me feel so much more deeply connected to you all,” she said. “Because while I was working through those long nights, I would come into the STEM Center and be reminded of what perseverance looks like for each of you.

“Every day, I had the opportunity to witness your resilience, your determination, and your growth. And in those moments, I was reminded of why this work matters. You didn’t just witness my journey; you were a part of it. And in many ways, you inspired me to keep pushing forward. So, thank you,” she concluded.

A catered dinner from Macaroni Grill and an Afters Ice Cream cart were event highlights. But the true star of the show were the students themselves, many of whom took home awards in academic excellence, research excellence, and recruitment.

Individual shoutouts were given to this year’s crop of graduates: Zygmund “Z” Anguiano, Hugo Ayala, Nicholas Beattie, Luis Castillo Gonzalez, Katherine Granados, Jazmin Guiterrez, Ariel Hernandez, Nariah Hill, Orume Igbako, Steven Llanas, Noemi “Mimi” Medina, Shogen Mikata, Adaeza “Emilia” Nwoche, Brian Ortiz-Perez, Jeremiah Parhusip, Yacquelin Pizan, Valeria Rodriguez, Lisette Ruiz, Sarah Stewart, Zarina Sultana, Genesis Trochez Vasquez, Erica Victor, and Angel Valle.

The MESA program provides its students with a dedicated support system that includes academic and career counseling, tutoring, and transfer preparation.  Program applications are accepted year-round.