MESA Student Employment Roles and ESA Eligibility
The MESA Program employs students in several roles to strengthen academic support, student engagement, and STEM success. Some student employment positions involve additional faculty collaboration and instructional material development that may qualify faculty for compensation through an Employee Service Agreement (ESA).
Faculty ESA eligibility is limited to approved academic support activities that require faculty work outside of regularly scheduled classroom instruction. The following outlines which MESA student employment roles qualify for an ESA.
| MESA Student Employment Role | ESA Eligible |
|---|---|
| AEW Facilitator | Yes, subject to dean FTE approval |
| Lab Assistant | No |
| MESA Center Tutor | No |
| General Student Help (Non-Tutor) | No |
Academic Excellence Workshop (AEW) Facilitators
ESA Eligible: Yes
AEW Facilitators lead weekly, faculty-coordinated workshops that reinforce course curriculum through collaborative learning, guided practice, and supplemental instructional materials.
Faculty members serving as AEW liaisons may receive an ESA for approved additional work associated with supporting their assigned AEW, including:
- Meeting weekly with the assigned AEW Facilitator to discuss course progression, upcoming topics, and student learning needs.
- Providing instructional guidance and reference materials to ensure workshops align with the course curriculum.
- Developing, reviewing, or providing worksheets, practice problems, and other supplemental materials for weekly AEW sessions.
- Identifying challenging course concepts and recommending strategies to strengthen student understanding.
- Communicating with the facilitator regarding recurring student questions and areas of academic difficulty.
Faculty Commitment: Maintain regular communication and meet weekly with the assigned AEW Facilitator to support workshop preparation and alignment with course instruction.
Compensation: The MESA faculty stipend is a set amount per eligible course (ask your respective dean for the exact amount), subject to the applicable standard rate (Class 1, Step 2), departmental approval, and ESA authorization.
MESA Lab Assistants
ESA Eligible: No
MESA Lab Assistants work directly with Science faculty during scheduled laboratory sections to provide supplemental classroom and laboratory support.
This position replaced MESA's former Embedded Tutor model. Unlike the previous Embedded Tutor role, Lab Assistants do not provide tutoring outside of scheduled laboratory time and do not require faculty to develop additional worksheets or supplemental instructional materials.
Lab Assistant responsibilities include:
- Supporting faculty during scheduled laboratory sections.
- Assisting with laboratory setup, organization, and breakdown.
- Reinforcing established laboratory safety procedures.
- Responding to routine student questions related to laboratory activities.
- Supporting an organized and productive laboratory learning environment.
Faculty Commitment: No additional weekly meetings, worksheet development, or supplemental academic material preparation is required as part of the Lab Assistant position.
Compensation: Faculty do not receive an ESA for hosting or working with a MESA Lab Assistant.
Course Eligibility: Lab Assistants are only assigned to eligible Science courses that include a laboratory component. They are not assigned to lecture-only courses or Engineering (ENGR) courses.
MESA Center Tutors
ESA Eligible: No
MESA Center Tutors provide direct academic tutoring to students enrolled in approved upper-division, calculus-based STEM courses.
Tutors work within the MESA Center to help students understand course concepts, develop problem-solving skills, and strengthen academic performance.
Faculty referrals may be used to identify qualified tutors; however, faculty are not required to participate in ongoing meetings, develop supplemental worksheets, or provide additional instructional materials as part of the tutoring assignment.
Faculty Commitment: No additional faculty responsibilities are required.
Compensation: Faculty do not receive an ESA for referring students or having MESA tutors support their courses.
MESA General Student Help (Non-Tutor)
ESA Eligible: No
General Student Help employees support MESA program operations, outreach, student engagement, and special projects.
Responsibilities may include:
- Social media content and promotional materials.
- Flyer and graphic design.
- Classroom presentations and student outreach.
- Event planning, setup, and coordination.
- General MESA program projects and activities.
Faculty Commitment: No additional faculty responsibilities are required.
Compensation: Faculty do not receive an ESA for working with or referring students to General Student Help positions.
Understanding the AEW Faculty Partnership
About Academic Excellence Workshops
Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) helps prepare students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to obtain calculus-based four-year degrees in fields such as engineering, the sciences, computer science, and mathematics.
Academic Excellence Workshops are small, collaborative learning communities where students work together to reinforce course material, practice problem-solving, and develop confidence in their STEM coursework.
Each AEW is supported by a dedicated student facilitator who works closely with a designated faculty liaison. The faculty liaison plays an important role in sustaining the workshop by providing instructional guidance, reference materials, and supplemental worksheets to ensure the AEW remains aligned with classroom instruction.
Faculty liaisons meet weekly with their assigned facilitators, help identify challenging course concepts, and recommend strategies to strengthen student learning. Facilitators also communicate recurring student questions and areas of difficulty to faculty, creating a feedback loop between classroom instruction and supplemental academic support.
This faculty partnership is the foundation of the AEW model and the basis for faculty ESA compensation.
Faculty Responsibilities
Faculty members serving as AEW liaisons are expected to:
- Meet weekly with their assigned AEW Facilitator.
- Communicate upcoming course topics, assignments, and examinations.
- Develop or provide worksheets and supplemental academic materials for weekly workshops.
- Offer instructional guidance and clarify challenging course concepts.
- Help ensure AEW activities remain aligned with classroom instruction.
Faculty Compensation
- MESA Stipend: Set amount per eligible course (ask dean for exact amount).
- Compensation Rate: Standard Rate (Class 1, Step 2).
- Payment Method: Employee Service Agreement (ESA).
- Approval: All ESAs are subject to review and approval by the respective Dean.
ESA compensation is not automatic or guaranteed. Faculty must receive the appropriate departmental approval and ESA authorization before compensation can be processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
ESA Eligibility and Compensation
If I have two AEWs for the same course, will I receive two stipends?
No. Faculty receive one MESA stipend per eligible course, regardless of how many AEW sections or facilitators support that same course.
For example:
- Two AEW sections supporting MATH 400 = One stipend.
- One AEW section supporting MATH 400 and one AEW section supporting MATH 401 = Two stipends, subject to approval.
The distinction is based on the number of different courses supported, not the number of AEW sections offered.
If I teach two different courses, can I receive two stipends?
Yes. Faculty supporting AEWs for two distinct courses may qualify for a separate stipend for each course, subject to departmental approval and ESA authorization.
For example, supporting AEWs for MATH 400 and MATH 401 may qualify for two separate stipends.
Are ESAs guaranteed once I agree to support an AEW?
No. All ESAs must be reviewed and approved by the respective Dean. Agreeing to serve as an AEW faculty liaison does not automatically guarantee ESA compensation. Faculty should confirm approval before assuming compensation has been authorized.
Which departments are eligible to participate in the MESA ESA agreement?
The MESA ESA agreement is limited to faculty within the Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Department.
The participating departments and their respective Deans are:
- Mathematics: Dean Camille Moreno
- Science and Engineering: Dean Bani Amini
Faculty outside these departments are not covered under the current MESA ESA agreement.
Does referring a student to become a MESA tutor qualify me for an ESA?
No. Faculty referrals for MESA Center Tutors do not qualify for ESA compensation. The ESA is intended to compensate faculty for the additional work associated with approved AEW partnerships.
Do Lab Assistants qualify for an ESA?
No. Lab Assistants provide support during scheduled laboratory sections and do not require additional faculty meetings, worksheet development, or supplemental academic material preparation outside of laboratory instruction.
This differs from the former Embedded Tutor model, which included additional faculty collaboration and academic support responsibilities.
Why did MESA transition from Embedded Tutors to Lab Assistants?
MESA transitioned to the Lab Assistant model to provide students with hands-on professional development experience in laboratory environments while offering faculty additional support during scheduled lab sections.
The new role focuses on laboratory operations, safety procedures, and student engagement during class rather than providing tutoring outside of the classroom.
AEW Operations and Faculty Collaboration
How often am I expected to meet with my AEW Facilitator?
Faculty liaisons are expected to meet weekly with their assigned facilitator to discuss course progression, upcoming topics, student learning challenges, and preparation for the next workshop.
Am I responsible for creating worksheets for every AEW?
Faculty are expected to develop, provide, or review appropriate supplemental instructional materials for their AEW workshops. These may include worksheets, practice problems, review materials, or other resources aligned with the course curriculum.
What if my AEW Facilitator has questions about a topic or needs additional guidance?
The faculty liaison serves as the primary instructional resource for the facilitator. Faculty should provide clarification, recommend instructional strategies, and help identify appropriate supplemental resources when needed.
Do I need to attend the actual AEW workshop?
The faculty liaison's primary responsibility is to coordinate with the facilitator and provide instructional guidance and materials. Weekly attendance at the workshop itself is not a standard requirement unless separately arranged.
Who should I contact with questions about ESA eligibility or compensation?
Faculty should contact the MESA Program Specialist for questions regarding student employment roles, AEW assignments, ESA eligibility, and program procedures. Questions regarding departmental approval should be directed to the respective Dean.
Important Reminders
- Only AEW faculty liaison responsibilities qualify for MESA ESA consideration under the current agreement.
- ESAs are subject to Dean approval and are not guaranteed.
- One stipend is available per eligible course, not per AEW section or facilitator.
- Faculty supporting multiple distinct eligible courses may qualify for multiple stipends.
- The MESA ESA agreement applies only to the Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Department under Deans Camille Moreno and Bani Amini.
- Lab Assistants are not eligible for faculty ESA compensation.
More information about ESAs: Hiring ESA and PEX