For more than two decades, Cal State LA alumna and Boeing systems engineer Maida Lopez has helped inspire the next generation of engineers through ECST's annual MESA STEM Day. As a driving force behind Boeing's participation, she has brought together engineers, alumni, and volunteers to help young students discover the possibilities of engineering, computer science, and technology.
The 22nd Annual MESA STEM Day, held in October 2026, brought middle and high school students to Cal State LA for hands-on activities, engineering demonstrations, and conversations with practicing engineers and college students. Over 22 years, the program has engaged more than 16,000 students in STEM experiences—enough to fill 32 jumbo jets carrying 500 passengers each. Behind that remarkable reach is a longstanding partnership and the dedication of alumni like Maida who continue to give back.
From Engineering Dreams to Real-World Impact
An Electrical Engineering graduate of Cal State LA, Maida has built an accomplished career at Boeing, contributing to complex engineering programs involving satellites, systems integration, and testing.
“When I step outside and look up at the sky, I think about the satellites orbiting above us—and I feel proud knowing I helped test and validate some of them,” Maida shared.
That sense of purpose is something she hopes to pass on to young people discovering engineering for the first time.
“My hope is that students leave MESA STEM Day knowing they belong in the future of engineering,” she explained. “I want students to recognize that these engineers were once students, too—and that they can follow a similar path, bring their own ideas to life, and help build the future.”
Two Decades of Leadership and Partnership
Working with Boeing colleagues, including fellow Cal State LA alumnus Ernesto Covarrubias, Maida has played a central role in sustaining and strengthening Boeing's involvement in MESA STEM Day for more than two decades, engaging engineers and volunteers to share their expertise and lead hands-on activities. Together with ECST's outreach team and Boeing Global Engagement, she has helped create meaningful opportunities for young people to learn from engineers and gain hands-on STEM experience.
Boeing engineers and volunteers share their professional experiences through workshops such as Ask an Engineer, Airplanes, Airplanes... Why Our Fascination?, and The Science of Rockets and Missiles, along with a keynote address from Boeing leadership. They also work alongside Cal State LA students, faculty, and staff to support hands-on activities throughout the day and offer mentorship and career advice to both visiting middle and high school students and Cal State LA students during lunch.
These experiences give younger students opportunities to explore engineering and connect with practicing professionals, while ECST students gain valuable industry connections and mentorship as they give back to their communities.
Maida has also been a strong advocate for Boeing's financial support of ECST outreach initiatives. Her efforts have helped secure funding not only for MESA STEM Day but also for LAunchPad, a summer program encouraging high school girls to explore engineering and computer science careers.
Carrying Forward the Support She Received
For Maida, giving back is deeply personal. She remembers alumni who visited campus to help students prepare for their careers, professors who believed in her, and experienced Boeing engineers whose mentorship helped shape her professional journey.
“As a Cal State LA alumna, I know firsthand how powerful it is when people invest in students,” she shared.
“Giving back is my way of carrying that support forward—creating opportunities, building confidence, and helping the next generation see what they can achieve.”
Through her longstanding leadership and dedication, Maida is helping young people discover their potential while carrying forward a tradition of mentorship, opportunity, and service that has shaped her own journey.
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