Center for Excellence in Engineering Education Projects

A Structured High School to Engineering Undergraduate Pipeline for Hispanic Females

Supported by: US Department of Education

A comprehensive strategy supported by the US Department of Education to increase from ~5.5% to 12% the full-time engineering degree seeking Hispanic females, increasing their retention rates from ~16% to 45% and their graduation rates in a 6-year period from ~7.58% to 24%. The strategy involves a longitudinal summer bridge program for high school junior and senior participants through the lower division engineering studies in externally funded research programs. UTSA will positively impact a total of 180 high school Hispanic female students during the 3-year grant period (40 year 1, 50 year 2, 70 year 3).

The participants will work as a member of a research team with clearly delineated tasks and expectations, as well as attend mandatory workshops to enhance the research experience and compliment/enhance the academic preparedness necessary to survive and excel in the freshman and sophomore years (i.e. the lower division) in their chosen engineering discipline. To ensure the progress and success of the participants, a formal and structured year long pyramid type mentoring program is also proposed that emphasizes active learning study groups. Finally, a recruitment process is also proposed that uses the relationships established with local high school math and science teachers, as well as high school counselors through a prior US Department of Education Best Practices Grant.