This CONNECTS 2 S-STEM project will increase the quality, quantity, and diversity of the engineering workforce by providing scholarships to 80 academically talented, first-generation freshmen students majoring in various engineering disciplines and computer science. Additionally, the program will target academically strong students from historically underrepresented populations. The program utilizes a three-pronged recruitment-application-matriculation plan to recruit, select, and retain scholarship recipients from 12 selected Texas high schools. The program incorporates student support strategies such as living learning communities, course clustering, industry interaction, student professional society involvement, and student career placement.
