This project is providing economically disadvantaged undergraduate and graduate students with mentoring and experiences that are specifically designed to retain them to the successful conclusion of their degrees. Supporting the development of a peer support group for participants, two academic programs (engineering and mathematical and computer sciences) and two academic levels (freshman and first year graduate students) are being targeted. Each of these programs is participating in community outreach programs called the Humanitarian Engineering and Outreach Scientists. Through these programs, the participants are engaging in mentored projects in their fields, early in their academic careers with an emphasis on outreach. The Career Center is providing career decision making and job placement assistance.
This project is providing a model for the broader research community with respect to developing math, science and engineering programs with particular appeal to women and other under-represented students. Results of this project are being disseminated through professional conferences, journals, and workshops in the discipline fields.
