Carlos is an Associate Director for the California MESA Program, the Director of the MESA programs at the Bourns College of Engineering at UC Riverside, and curator of our MESA curriculum and advisor trainings. Carlos is a former engineer, public school educator and has been an instructor and adjunct faculty in university classrooms. His responsibilities include program management and administration, curriculum development, teacher preparation and training, and the creation and implementation of student engineering challenges.

As a MESA alumni (at both the Pre-College and University level), first generation college student and a proud Latino (from the land of eternal spring, Guatemala), he has a passion for empowering, inspiring and preparing young people and their educators for achievement and success.  Mr. Gonzalez states. “Educators, whether formal or informal, cannot forget the lasting impact they have on young people. With MESA and STEM, teachers become transformative agents in the lives of even the most underserved students. I am proud to work with and for an amazing group of MESA teacher advisors.”

Jessica Kesler is an educator, advocate, and community leader dedicated to creating meaningful change for the next generation. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she has served in a variety of roles with nonprofits and community-based organizations, including educator, mentor, and board member. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, a Master’s in Secondary Education, and a second Master’s in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University. She recently completed her Doctorate in K–12 Education and Leadership, from Gwynedd Mercy University, and also holds certifications in Nonprofit Management, Data Science, and Financial Planning from various universities. 

With more than 13 years of experience in education across Philadelphia, the DMV area, and Southern California, Jessica now serves as Director of Professional Learning at the TGR Foundation. In this role, she leads transformative professional development initiatives that empower educators and strengthen communities. Passionate about equity and culturally responsive practices, Jessica brings a dynamic perspective to conversations about leadership, education, and community impact.