Undergraduate Scholarships in Engineering to Improve Retention and Diversity

未来几年，犹他州高等教育系统的工程学和相关技术毕业生的数量将需要大幅增加，以促进该州及其公民的智力和经济福祉。为此，州议会在州高等教育系统内制定了一项工程和计算机科学倡议，目的是到2006年将工程和相关技术专业的毕业生人数增加一倍。工程学院的教职员工认为，努力提高留校率，增加少数民族学生的入学机会，将对实现这一目标做出重大贡献。这一努力的核心是增加工程学院5个系中每个系的工程学学生获得奖学金的机会。在该项目为期四年的每一年中，将颁发30个基于需要的奖学金，每个奖学金为3,125美元。奖学金让学生可以把更多的时间花在学术追求上，而减少了在大学之外工作的时间。奖学金获得者必须：1)是美国公民，2)在工程学院全日制学习，3)证明有经济需要，符合美国教育部关于联邦财政援助的规定，以及4)表现出学术潜力或能力。通过USU高中/大学关系办公室、多元文化学生中心和工程学院进行招生。除了传统的招生方法外，该学院还通过其年度工程州计划招生，这是一个每年春季举行的为期四天的活动，向来自犹他州各地的约250名高三学生介绍各种工程领域的机会。除了奖学金机会，该项目还为CSEMS学者提供：1)一个正式的项目，通过这个项目，他们可以获得学术援助和建议；2)一个促进与高年级学生和教师定期互动的机制；3)与教师导师的研究机会；以及4)及早获得合作/实习机会和行业导师。CSEMS项目由工程学院的教职员工和高中/大学关系、多元文化学生中心和USU就业服务中心的工作人员指导。

Significant increases in the number of engineering and related technology graduates from the Utah State System of Higher Education will be required over the next several years to advance the intellectual and economic well being of the state and its citizens. In response, the State Board of Regents has developed an Engineering and Computer Science Initiative within the state system of higher education with intentions to double the number of graduates in engineering and related technology majors by the year 2006. The faculty within the College of Engineering believe that efforts to improve retention, and to increase enrollment opportunities for students from underrepresented minorities, will contribute significantly toward that goal. Central to this effort is an increase in the number of scholarship opportunities available to engineering students within each of the 5 departments in the College of Engineering. For each year of the four year duration of this project, 30 need-based scholarships at $3,125 each are being awarded. The scholarships allow students to spend more time on academic pursuits, and less time employed outside the University. Scholarship recipients must: 1) be U.S. citizens, 2) enroll full time within the College of Engineering, 3) demonstrate financial need as defined by the U.S. Department of Education rules for Federal Financial aid, and 4) show academic potential or ability. Recruitment is done through the USU Office of High School/College Relations, the Multicultural Student Center, and the College of Engineering. In addition to traditional recruiting methods, the college recruits through its annual Engineering State program, a four day event held each spring in which approximately 250 high school juniors from throughout the State of Utah are introduced to the opportunities available in the various fields of engineering. In addition to scholarship opportunities, the program also provides CSEMS scholars with: 1) a formal program through which they can receive academic assistance and advising, 2) a mechanism to promote interaction with upper-division students and faculty on a regular basis, 3) research opportunities with faculty mentors, and 4) early access to co-op/internship opportunities and industry mentors. The CSEMS program is directed by faculty members from the College of Engineering and staff from High School/College Relations, the Multicultural Student Center, and USU Career Services.