Oscar Porter named new MESA ­ Executive Director

Oscar F. Porter has been selected as the new Executive Director for California’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program. Porter has served as the Interim Chief Operating Officer for MESA since 2003 and has directed MESA’s Research, Evaluation and Information Management Division since 1995.

Porter succeeds Michael Aldaco, who is vacating the executive directorship to assume greater responsibilities as UC Assistant Vice President of Student Development and Academic Services, where he has responsibility for overseeing a number of student development efforts. Aldaco will continue as MESA’s Principal Investigator. 

“I am pleased to turn the helm over to Oscar. His broad national experience, leadership ability, and clear vision for the future are tremendous assets that will ensure the positive growth and development of MESA,” said Aldaco.

“It is an honor and a challenge for me to lead MESA at this transitional point,” said Porter. “I look forward to engaging students, parents, staff and industry partners to address the capacity building needs and systemic change important to the education of our students.”

Porter is a former Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Redlands in California, where he was responsible for policy development and management of university-wide enrollment strategy and institutional research. He also has served as Assistant Executive Director for the National Institute of Independent Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C., and was Assistant to the President at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi.

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