The Middle East Studies Center (MESC) is an area studies center in the Office of International Affairs. Since its designation as a U.S. Department of Education National Resource Center in 1988, MESC has continued to play a major role in the realization of OSU's mission by contributing to the enrichment of the intellectual environment with regard to knowledge of the Middle East, on campus and beyond. The Center will continue to provide opportunities for faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students to pursue their academic objectives and contribute to the body of knowledge about the Middle East. Further, MESC strives to render that knowledge accessible and readily available to the public through the Knowledge Bank, and extensive outreach and engagement with local, regional, national and global communities.