This project is awarding scholarships to academically talented and financially needy students and is supporting the scholars through a variety of structures and programs. Students from underrepresented groups are being especially targeted for support and student scholars are enrolled in one of four engineering disciplines. More than half of the current student population on this urban campus works more that 20 hours per week and the scholarships enable students to focus on their studies to graduation. The scholarship program builds on a successful LSAMP program on campus, extending support and mentoring activities into the junior and senior years for targeted students. The methods being employed in the project include a revision of engineering courses to include active, collaborative learning, a mentorship program that involves research faculty, a targeted recruitment strategy, opportunities for networking with engineering professionals, and a learning community infrastructure.
