PC Students Tackle Sustainability at MESA Leadership Conference

When Jeffrey Vargas Felix and Jesus Zermeno boarded their flight to San Francisco in early December 2025, they carried more than luggage—they brought the determination and innovation that defines Phoenix College's Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) program. Over the course of one intensive weekend at the MESA Student Leadership Conference, these computer science students collaborated with engineering majors from across California, tackled global sustainability challenges, and connected their PC coursework to the conference content. 

The MESA conference brought together 200 top STEM students from 46 California colleges for an invitation-only event that combined professional development with hands-on problem-solving. For Jeffrey, a computer science major who joined MESA a year ago at the recommendation of his professor, the experience began the moment he received his lanyard. Each badge displayed a team number, instantly connecting strangers into collaborative units tasked with addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

"Within the first hour, they're like, 'Well, you guys are all going to be together for the rest of the day and then the whole next day,'" Jeffrey recalled. The conference organizers put him in a group with nine other engineers—some from civil engineering and some from computer science—and they focused on UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. Their project centered on educating metropolitan college students about electronic waste and sustainable solutions through innovative facility design. The team included students from UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, Fresno State, and Cal State LA, representing the diversity of California's STEM community.

Meanwhile, Jesus faced an equally daunting challenge with his ten-person team: UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. "You're only given your task on site," Jesus explained. "The very first night, our team agreed we needed to generate several ideas and vote to decide on one of them right away." When two ideas tied, their most experienced team member—a MESA veteran—broke the deadlock, helping them focus their efforts on water scarcity through engineering solutions. 

Working late into Friday and Saturday nights, Jesus's team–students from USC, UC Irvine, and Chico State–developed H2-Sens0, an automated water-quality monitoring and diversion system designed for Africa's river basins. The device integrated multiple sensor technologies to detect contaminants, such as heavy metals and petroleum products. Then it activated a valve system to divert clean water safely while redirecting contaminated water for treatment. Through multiple iterations, the team refined their design to work without electricity, making it practical for areas with limited infrastructure.

Both teams submitted video presentations by Sunday, then faced a public voting period where they reached out to connections across their networks. Jeffrey's team placed second, just shy of winning the $700 prize. Yet, both students gained something more valuable: confidence in their abilities and connections with peers facing similar academic journeys.

"There's always self-doubt," Jeffrey reflected. "It was nice meeting with everyone and collaborating, and realizing, 'Oh, we're all on the same level here.'"

The conference also featured career expos and recruiter panels, where students networked with industry professionals from companies such as PG&E, Uber, and Harris & Associates. These interactions proved especially valuable for Jeffrey, who works part-time at PC’s 3D printing lab, assisting students with printing and laser cutting projects while completing his associate's degree before transferring to ASU in the Fall of 2026 to begin work on his bachelor's degree.

Beyond the team challenge, the conference offered workshops on emotional intelligence, leadership skills, as well as personality types and behavioral styles—lessons that Jesus immediately connected to his Introduction to Communications course at Phoenix College. "One of the things we talked about in class was how different cultures and personalities can clash, but they don't have to if we take the time to understand each other's perspectives." The conference reinforced those lessons that Jesus now applies in every group project. "If you understand someone's perspective and learn how to work with them, that's how you build a good team," he said. 

Dr. Frank Marfai, the MESA advisor who accompanied both students to San Francisco, expressed pride in their representation of Phoenix College. The experience exemplifies what MESA offers: mentorship, professional development, networking opportunities, and real-world problem-solving that bridges classroom theory and industry practice.  Both students credit MESA with providing opportunities they wouldn't have encountered otherwise—from mentorship connections with professors to travel experiences and competitive team projects that build résumés and confidence.

As Arizona becomes an increasingly vital hub for tech companies, MESA ensures Phoenix College students are prepared to collaborate with and compete alongside peers from prestigious universities for internships and careers in the region's growing STEM sector. 

Interested in joining Phoenix College's MESA program? Learn more about membership opportunities and benefits.