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                                                          FROM                   THE          DEA N




                                                     Retaining Young, Bright Students
                                                     The College of Engineering is nationally recognized for being an innovator in education. In the
                                                     1990s we implemented the "Wipe the Slate Clean" program that literally reformed engineer-
                                                     ing education in the United States. Among many things, the program initiated the practice
                                                     of teaching engineering to first-year students. We realized that our youngest students were
                                                     able to grasp fundamental engineering concepts before completing rigorous math courses.
                                                     After admitting these students into engineering classes, we discovered that our retention
                                                     rate improved because first-year students were better able to choose their majors and they
                                                     enjoyed the early introduction into engineering. By assessing our students' needs and aspira-
                                                     tions, we improved their educational experiences and strengthened the college's curriculum.
                                                     Today we are implementing another program that focuses on social interactions as a means
                                                     for students to acclimate into the university community.
                                                          The program is called the "First-Year Experience," and its mission is to empower and
                                                     educate young students by enabling them to achieve academic, personal, and professional
                                                     growth. Investing in our commitment, we hired Pam Golubski as our first-year associate di-
                                                     rector. An integral part of her job involves fostering relationships between first-year students
                   Pradeep K. Khosla, dean of the    and the faculty, staff, upper-class students, and alumni. Honing in on first-year students in
                   College of Engineering, was       this manner is crucial because students cite that the main reason why they will leave an
                   recently named a University       institution is because they feel like they don't belong.
                   Professor, the highest academic
                                                          To engage new students, we invite them to participate in focus groups. During these
                   distinction faculty members
                                                     sessions, we learn what resources they need in order to make informed decisions about
                   can achieve at Carnegie Mellon.
                                                     their curricular and career options. To ensure that the students have a voice throughout their
                   With this nomination, Khosla
                                                     transitional year, there is an advisory board that is comprised of 20 first-year students. As a
                   joins a distinguished group
                                                     result of this engagement, a number of meaningful programs have been created, including
                   of peers who represent the
                   intellectual leadership of the    an alumni mentoring program (see page 16), receptions, career information sessions, and

                   university. Only 10 percent of    service-oriented outreach activities, like food and toy drives. This summer we're launching
                   the university's faculty holds    a virtual common reading experience that will allow students, fresh out of high school, op-
                   this prestigious position.        portunities to communicate online with other members of the CIT community before they
   2
                                                     ever set foot on campus.
                                                          We are proud of the strides we are making in our student programs as well as in other
                                                     college endeavors. To reengage alumni and familiarize them with our strategic goals, we
ENGINEERING NEWS




                                                     occasionally invite some of them to campus for an event called "The Dean's Weekend." These
                                                     weekends conclude with a presentation about the "First-Year Experience," and guests meet
                                                     with the students. Without fail, our alumni say, "I wish I could be an undergraduate again."



                                                     Dean Pradeep K. Khosla