It is the purpose of Pasadena City College M.E.Ch.A. is to strive for higher education, an education grounded in our history and struggles, as a mean to self-determination of Nuestra Gente. We must ensure that access to higher education remains open for generations of Nuestra Gente to come. We must strive for creating and developing cultural, political, social conciousness, and an understanding that will prepare us to become the future leaders of our community at Pasadena City College and our surrounding communities in the North East Los Angeles area. M.E.Ch.A. is not just a Mexican organization. The term Chicana/o is a term based on cultural, social, and political consciousness. Therefore, it is grounded on a philosophy NOT a nationality. M.E.Ch.A. is inclusive of ALL RAZA (irrespective of nationality, sexual orientation and gender) that strives for empowerment and liberation of our gente through higher education.