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The Mesa Press

The independent student news site of San Diego Mesa College.

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Featured Writers

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Hana Woodward

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Ana Olivia Laniado

Hi! My name is Ana Olivia Laniado. Here you will find some of my work for the Mesa Press, my previously-attended community college's student newspaper.

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Kristina Cox

As an experienced professional content developer with a passion for language and words, I have cultivated my skills in content writing, editing, and coordination across multiple industries. With a background …

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Alyvia Pearson - Sports Journalist

Alyvia is a second-year journalism student at San Diego Mesa College. She is planning on transferring to either San Diego State or UMiami for Fall of 2026 to pursue a …

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Alfonzo Ellis

Alfonzo Ellis is a Journalism Major at San Diego Mesa. One goal of his is bridge the gap between sports and comedy. He has dreams of one day being on …

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Johnathan Scott

My name is Johnathan Scott, I am currently a Broadcast Journalism student at The University of Oklahoma. I previously attended San Diego Mesa College where I was the sports Editor …

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Latest Articles

Chemistry and execution drive Mesa at PCAC Pairs

On April 15 at MiraCosta College, San Diego Mesa College beach volleyball took part in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference pairs tournament, bringing together some of the top duos in the conference for a full day of competitive matchups. Among the standout performances were Mesa’s Layla Folkers and Mia Lundberg, …
By Alyvia Pearson - Sports Journalist
• The Mesa Press

Mesa Baseball Dominates Imperial Valley in 11–1 Victory

Mesa College defeated Imperial Valley 11-1 on Tuesday, March 19. Michael Firestone and Ian Pollard had key RBIs early, helping the team build a lead. Mesa finished with 13 hits, including doubles by Alejandro Leyva-Ramos, Hunter Kaul (3), and Gianluca Fanelli. Mesa scored first in the bottom of the first …
By Alyvia Pearson - Sports Journalist
• The Mesa Press

Inside Giselle Haugen’s Volleyball Journey

Giselle kind of fell into volleyball in a weird way. She played soccer basically her whole life and never really thought about switching sports until people kept telling her she was “wasting her height” not playing basketball or volleyball. She tried basketball first, hated it, and volleyball ended up being …
By Alyvia Pearson - Sports Journalist
• The Mesa Press

Clothes story: A Memoir to the Armor Behind Early African-American Culture.

Lifelong creative Kenneth Green and Gallery Director Alessandra Moctezuma engaged in a powerful dialogue about the art exhibit “Clothes Story: An Exhibit Highlighting African American Women’s Clothing from 1890 to 1963” displayed at our Mesa College Art Gallery this past Wednesday. More than fifty people were present to listen and …
By Layla Dayton
• The Mesa Press

SDSU professor sparks conversation for Constitution Day

Guest speaker Dr. Kimberly Fletcher gave a presentation to an audience of over 100 people on Sept. 17 at Mesa College campus for Constitution Day, featuring a concise history of U.S. presidential unilateral power and the role of the Supreme Court in deciding that power. Dr. Fletcher’s presentation and subsequent …
By Layla Dayton
• The Mesa Press

Mesa librarians are anything but quiet

The librarians at Mesa College’s Learning Resource Center (LRC) openly speak out for the community, encourage students to utilize the services offered and promote a deeper understanding of professors and staff. On Wednesday Oct. 8, in the main entrance to the LRC, librarian Lisa Burgert and several other staff spoke …
By Layla Dayton
• The Mesa Press

The new faces of ASG hope to connect with students

Three friends take up the executive positions of Mesa’s Associated Student Government; their main goals: connecting with the student body and providing space to share experiences on campus with their representatives. The Mesa ASG election has concluded and Miranda Acuna has won the election for ASG president, and although she …
By Layla Dayton
• The Mesa Press

Mesa paved their way to playoffs with a three game winning streak against Imperial Valley

Mesa College defeated Imperial Valley for a third time in a row on April 24, finishing their last home game of the season 8-4 with some explosive plays, including two home runs by Mesa’s Hunter Kaul and Jacob Lanza. Mesa started with a strong second inning by scoring four runs, …
By Layla Dayton
• The Mesa Press

Nancee Kesinger, retired Mesa english professor, dies at 69

Nancee Kesinger, a committed academic who inspired through her dedication to students and steadfastness, has died aged 69. Kesinger taught at Mesa for 38 years, those who worked with and were taught by her remember her for her storytelling skills, passion for education, and empathy. “She was fierce… She was …
By Layla Dayton
• The Mesa Press

Board of trustees decides to rename Cesar E. Chavez campus amidst reactions to abuse allegations

The San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees has moved forward with renaming of Cesar E. Chavez Campus following a meeting on April 6. As the news of Chavez’s sexual misconduct continues to spread, community members and leaders process the immense task of reframing his legacy. Following the meeting, …
By Layla Dayton
• The Mesa Press

The Grinch returns for the 28th year to the Old Globe in Balboa Park

Wonderfully stylized sets, colorful costumes and powerful performances worked together to bring the writings of Dr. Seuss to life thanks to the talented cast and crew at the Old Globe Theater in the Balboa Park area. This year is the 28th year that “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” …
By Layla Dayton
• The Mesa Press

Mesa librarians are anything but quiet

The librarians at Mesa College’s Learning Resource Center (LRC) openly speak out for the community, encourage students to utilize the services offered and promote a deeper understanding of professors and staff. On Wednesday Oct. 8, in the main entrance to the LRC, librarian Lisa Burgert and several other staff spoke …
By Layla Dayton
• The Mesa Press

An open letter from a veteran’s heart: The sacrifices we make and the promises we deserve

Dear President-Elect Trump, What does it truly mean to serve? By definition, to serve is to perform duties or services for another person or organization. In many contexts, it also means to be employed as a member of the armed forces, to willingly step forward, raise your right hand, and …
By Dominic Jones
• The Mesa Press

Women’s volleyball, cross country begin chases for state title as fall sports playoffs start

Mesa women’s volleyball was seeded No. 2 in the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) Southern California Regional Bracket after a 23-1 season and will begin their quest for back-to-back state titles on Tuesday, Nov. 26 when they host the winner of the first round’s No. 15 Ventura and No. …
By Dominic Jones
• The Mesa Press

The spirit of giving: ways to make a difference this holiday season

On the go? Listen to this audio summary of the article for a rundown on how to give back this holiday season. With the upcoming holiday season upon us, the spirit of giving takes on renewed importance. This time of year, countless individuals and families find themselves in need of …
By Dominic Jones
• The Mesa Press

Building Dreams, Piece by Piece: A Review of Pharrell Williams’ Inspirational Journey

Introduction “What if life is like a Lego set?” – Pharrell Williams Thirteen-time Grammy winner Pharrell Williams is a multi-talented star with impressive music, fashion, television, and philanthropy careers. Born on April 5, 1973, he began his career as a teenage prodigy under the mentorship of Teddy Riley. Over his …
By Dominic Jones
• The Mesa Press

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Reunite for ‘Missionary’: A nostalgic comeback

In a music industry where collaborations often feel forced and fleeting, the reunion of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre on their new album “Missionary” is a refreshing reminder of the magic that can happen when two legends come together. This album, their first full length collaboration since the iconic “Doggystyle” …
By Sharay McCain
• The Mesa Press

LGBTQ veterans share their stories at Mesa College

Prior to 2011, openly LGBTQ individuals were prohibited from serving in the U.S. military. Recently, a panel of four LGBTQ-identified veterans convened at Mesa College in San Diego to share their personal stories and experiences. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, implemented by the Clinton administration in 1993, marked …
By Sharay McCain
• The Mesa Press

Understanding epilepsy first aid and key facts

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and the Mesa campus recently welcomed Kelley Grimes and Sarah Waters from the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County for an informative panel discussion to educate attendees about the causes of epilepsy, its nature and essential first aid measures. Grimes and Waters began by explaining …
By Sharay McCain
• The Mesa Press

Mesa College launches immersive Summer 2025 study abroad program in Japan

Mesa College announced its upcoming travel abroad program to Japan, offering students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese culture and language. The six-week program, tentatively scheduled from June 9, 2025, to July 20, 2025, includes two weeks of preparatory classes at Mesa College followed by four weeks in …
By Sharay McCain
• The Mesa Press

UC Berkeley candidate discusses LGBTQIA+ policy updates at Mesa college

Rainer Apostal, a Masters in Social Welfare candidate at UC Berkeley, who uses they/them pronouns, recently served as a guest speaker on a career panel at Mesa College. Apostal provided attendees with an insightful overview of California’s legislative process and recent policy updates affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. Apostal highlighted several …
By Sharay McCain
• The Mesa Press