Freshman Engineering Program Announces Name Change

The College of Engineering's Freshman Engineering Program will now be known as the First-Year Engineering Program.

Richard Cassady, director of the program, said the name change was needed to more accurately reflect the nature of the program.

"The new name reflects the emphasis that universities place on creating a positive first-year experience for their students, regardless of their academic or personal background," Cassady said.

The name change took effect May 14.

About the First-Year Engineering Program

The First-Year Engineering Program is designed to nurture the academic success, professional development, and individual growth of first-year engineering students by establishing the foundation for their excellence in the study of engineering. The program strives to accomplish this mission by providing first-year engineering students with engaging and high-quality instruction in coursework that is relevant to the modern engineering student and is appropriate based on their individual K-12 preparation, the essential and motivating information about the engineering disciplines so that they make an informed choice about their engineering major, and proactive and high-quality academic advising, professional development opportunities, and peer mentoring,

Of the new freshmen who entered the College of Engineering during the nine years prior to the implementation of the Freshman Engineering Program, 61 percent returned to the College of Engineering for their sophomore year, and 38 percent graduated from the College of Engineering in six years. For the first 10 (2007-2016) First-Year Engineering Program cohorts, 70 percent returned to the College of Engineering for their sophomore year, and 47 percent graduated from the College of Engineering in six years.