Author Profile

Engineering Career Awareness Program (ECAP)

Bryan Hill, University of Arkansas Main Campus

Program Purpose

In the fall of 2007, the College of Engineering launched the Engineering Career Awareness Program (ECAP), a recruitment-to-graduation diversity initiative designed to increase the number of underrepresented students (ethnic minority, female and first-generation students) with financial need entering and graduating from engineering programs at the University of Arkansas, and to increase the diversity of the engineering workforce overall as demand for U.S.-trained engineers increases worldwide.

ECAP combines several piloted and proven recruitment and retention strategies into one cohesive program. By offering a range of academic, financial and social supports, ECAP removes traditional barriers to success and makes it possible for these students to successfully complete their degree and begin their careers in engineering, a field that historically has not had a strong minority presence.

Program Goals

ECAP was designed to increase the number of financially-needy, underrepresented students who enter engineering and subsequently graduate with an engineering degree.

Program Activities

  • Student Recruitment – ECAP staff work year-round to develop relationships with high schools that have large populations of minority and first-generation students. ECAP staff present informational workshops and educate school counselors about the program's mission and opportunities. ECAP staff also meet individually with high school students and their families who have demonstrated outstanding academic and leadership skills and future potential.
  • Financial Assistance – ECAP fully covers each student's annual college expenses (tuition, fees, room and board, and books) after other scholarships, grants and financial aid have been awarded.
  • Summer Bridge Program – ECAP's three-week orientation and college experience program provides daily workshops and seminars on study skills, building relationships and developing strong time management and study habits. ECAP students also tour the University's Research Centers and local industries that hire engineers.
  • Freshmen Engineering Program (FEP) – A 30-credit hour program, FEP provides peer mentors, networking and connection experiences with other engineering students to increase student retention and success, and assists ECAP students in choosing their specific engineering major.
  • Peer Mentoring – All ECAP engineering majors are paired with an ECAP student mentor who helps guide them through their first year. Mentors help ECAP students understand the challenges of college life and help them develop strong study habits, introduce them to student organizations and other social opportunities on campus.
  • Cooperative Education and Internships – Each summer, ECAP students have the opportunity to participate in study abroad trips, learn and develop hands-on skills through paid Cooperative Education and Internships with local and regional companies, and participate in variety of on-campus and industry research projects. ECAP assists students in finding the financial resources needed to create their own unique learning experience.
  • Ongoing Student Support – ECAP students have weekly meetings with their Peer Mentors to ensure they are on track academically. ECAP staff and mentors are also available to provide help and support as needed in other aspects of their college experience.

Necessary Resources

  • Dedicated Personnel
  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • Dedicated Financial Aid Funding

Notes and Tips

  • Consider a plan for continued financing early; especially for increasing scholarship opportunities.
  • Alumni advocates are extremely helpful for institutionalizing the program.

Evidence of Success

ECAP's targeted focus on student recruitment and retention has enabled the University of Arkansas College of Engineering to grow both in size and diversity to graduate significantly more top-notch students. For example:

  • From 2006 (pre-ECAP) to 2015, the number of ethnic minority undergraduate engineering students increased by 286% (185 to 715).
  • ECAP students graduate from the University of Arkansas and College of Engineering at statistically higher rates than the overall engineering population. On average, 69% of ECAP students graduate with engineering degrees, as compared to 46% of the overall undergraduate engineering population.
  • Underrepresented students (females, ethnic minorities and first-generation) accounted for 50% of the fall 2015 freshmen engineering class. This includes 209 women, nearly triple the number who enrolled just five years ago.
  • Collected program data shows that ECAP students are, on average, more successful than their freshman engineering peers, with statistically significant differences in retention and GPA.
  • In 2014, 16.4% of the minority student population at the University of Arkansas were engineering students, a 5.1% increase from 2006.
  • Since its inception, 55 ECAP students have received their bachelor's degrees in various engineering disciplines and are currently employed with companies such as Walmart, HP, GE Healthcare, Bechtel, BNSF, ExxonMobil, Lockheed Martin, and Phillips66, or are currently pursuing graduate degrees.

Program Costs and ROI

  • Cost of this initiative in its first year (including start-up costs): $125,000
  • Average yearly costs to maintain this initiative: $450,000
  • Average number of individuals served per year by this initiative: 51-100
  • Average annual rate of success for individuals meeting this initiative's goals: 75%-89%

References and Accessory Materials

University of Arkansas Engineering Career Awareness Program Website
Engineering Career Awareness Program Overview
Engineering Career Awareness Program Student Experience