MESA is very proud to announce their collaboration with the California Connects Program. California Connects and MESA both believe that everyone should have access to the benefits of technological advances and have worked very hard to increase literacy technology within the local community. With this common goal, MESA and California Connects have worked together to make this happen! California Connects provided computer equipment and training to MESA and MESA students donated their time to go out to their local communities to teach small groups of people basic computer, E-mail, Word Processing and Internet skills. Students involved had the great opportunity to become Microsoft Office certified, give back to the community and be rewarded with a laptop by California Connects for their time and efforts.

California Connects is currently looking for more students who are interested in taking part in the efforts of expanding literacy technology.  All BC students who qualify are welcomed to join California Connects.  Qualifying students who take part in California Connects will have the opportunity to become certified in a variety of Microsoft Office Programs and be part of a great innovating program. If you are interested in joining California Connects, stop by the MESA Center (located in the Science and Engineering building: (Room SE46) to obtain more information. You can also start the process of becoming involved with California Connects by following the simple step-by-step instructions provided in the box below. 

 HOW TO JOIN CALIFORNIA CONNECTS:

 1. CREATE A LOGIN ACCOUNT -To create a login account online go to www.caconnects.ning.com 

2. REVIEW PREPARATION MATERIAL- after creating the account, download Gmetrix by clicking on “Microsoft Certification” and fill out the requested information. (Gmetrix software gives you access to preparation material for Microsoft Certification, such as background information and quizzes).

3. SIGN UP FOR A TEST DATE -Once you have reviewed the preparation material provided through Gmetrix and you feel ready to take the certification test, contact Aimee Torres or Marco Guerra (contact information provided below) at the MESA Center via phone or by email to sign up for a test day. They will also provide you with additional information and can answer any questions you may have about applying.

Aimee Torres, California Connects Specialist, Phone: (661) 395-4776 Email: aimee.torres1993@email.bakersfieldcollege.edu  

Marco Guerra, California Connects Specialist, Phone: (661) 395-4776 Email: markus.07@me.com

Alfredo Arevalo, California Connects Specialist, Phone: (661) 395-4776 Email: alfredo.arevalo1824@email.bakersfieldcollege.edu

 PLEASE NOTE: In order to be eligible to receive a laptop in exchange for your community service you MUST be a MESA member and have successfully completed all the steps required to join California Connects. ( Limited number of Laptops available)