COE grant targets retention

Edward Brown

The Kate Gleason College of Engineering is receiving a $20,000 grant from the Semiconductor Industry Association for a pilot program aimed at improving retention among engineering majors, particularly minorities, through peer support during students’ first two years of college.

The pilot, led by Edward Brown, assistant professor of electrical engineering, includes a summer enrichment program prior to first-year studies, first-quarter outreach programs, fun and challenging student competitions, and quarterly forums offering opportunities for first- and second-year engineering majors to meet with successful upperclassmen.

“The semiconductor industry has long been concerned that the supply of qualified electrical engineering graduates will not be adequate to meet our workforce demands in the years ahead,” says George Scalise, president of the association. “Lower enrollments coupled with a high rate of dropouts—especially among minority students—could lead to a serious shortage of engineers within a few years. One of the fastest ways to address this growing problem is to reduce the attrition rate among those already in engineering
programs.”

RIT is one of five universities selected for grants from among more than 40 applicants.

“Retention of talented electrical engineering students at RIT will be impacted in a positive manner with this novel program of early engagement and learning,” predicts Robert Bowman, professor and department head of electrical engineering.