Rosie Mankel-Stofelano

Rosie's Story

I have so many wonderful MESA memories, especially from my high school participation. One of my favorite things was when our team won the national championship. It was not only great seeing all our hard work pay off but the journey getting there. The late days at school with my friends working on our project, bonding and learning from each other and our teacher who was always willing to go the extra mile, whether it was buying us snacks for after school or making us repeat our presentation for the 100th time until we got it right. I learned that if this is something you like and are enjoying keeping on going no matter what others think or say.

These experiences in MESA helped shape my path in many ways. From the very start they showed me the opportunities that are out there and that college is a place for me. I remember the trips we took in 6th and 7th grade and how it was the first time I was truly exposed a university campus. I am the first child and grand child to attend and graduate college in my family. I feel all the excitement around my experience has helped inspire others in my family and we now have many graduates. Being able to visit the different colleges while in the program was so fun and I'm not sure I would have gotten to do so otherwise. MESA helped me grow my confidence with all these experiences and when I attended the University of Arizona I felt right at place and knew where everything was and didn't struggle much with my transition to this new part of my life.

I currently work in the College of Science at the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium. Although I did not continue in my engineering path as planned, I get to work and see K-12 students from all around the state and introduce them to STEM. I coordinate many visits to the science center and hope that all the groups that visit are inspired by science and all the UA has to offer. I also have a son and I want to give him all the support he needs to feel like he can do anything and encourage to try all the different opportunities and programs out there, like the ones like MESA that helped me.