A two-semester freshman orientation course sequence for retaining underrepresented minorities in engineering

Abstract

At NC State University, USA, the authors have developed a student success model that is contributing towards their goal of increasing diversity as it relates to the engineering and computer science professions. They know they are on the right track because their NC State University College of Engineering has been honored twice in the short, four-year history of a national mentoring awards program. In 2000, they received their second Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. This work in progress report and accompanying presentation focus on their two-semester sequence that contains their freshman-level Engineering Professional Student Development courses. They describe the demographics of their student enrollment population, share details of both courses to include topical coverage, professional guests participation, and the impact these courses have on minority engineering and computer science students as they become acclimated to their campus environment.