Department of NSF Scholarship Program: Reaching Out to the Economically Disadvantaged

Suny Onondaga Community College, Syracuse NY

Investigators

Abstract

This project reaches out to attract a heterogeneous mix of students, including ethnically diverse and under-represented minorities, as well as women into engineering and engineering technology programs. We have developed methods for motivating students to pursue a degree program, in part, by offering financial incentives to academically talented but economically disadvantaged students in Engineering Technology (Electrical, Computer, and Telecommunication) and Engineering Science programs. The program increases retention rates of these students by providing enhanced support structures and prepares the students to be successful employees in the technical work force. The support is provided by forming a learning community comprised of students, faculty advisors/mentors from each discipline, and industry mentors.