Growing OU's Engineering Pathways Program

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Launched with support from the State of Oklahoma in 2021, the Engineering Pathways Program plays a major role in meeting the Gallogly College of Engineering’s strategic goal to grow enrollment and degree completion. The college’s approach has many aspects and is based on evidence-based practices and research in engineering education, says Randa Shehab, the college’s senior associate dean for academic affairs and faculty development.

“We realize that to grow participation in engineering among college-going students we have to develop excitement and motivation about engineering, as well as create programs that support them during their academic experience,” Shehab said.

Engineering Pathways is creating that excitement through several programs while enhancing and growing programs to support students during their academic journey.

“At universities across the nation, it is expected that first-year students enroll in calculus as their first math class. This just isn’t the reality for many of our students and from Day 1 this causes them to start behind in the engineering curriculum,” Shehab said.

“We must make OU Engineering education accessible to a broader Oklahoma student population. Part of this includes the Summer Bridge and Engineering Catalyst programs that are designed to help less-prepared students excel in college.” Shehab says.

Key initiatives of Engineering Pathways include:

Outreach and Recruiting: The college provides hands-on engineering learning activities for its partners in public education to help create awareness and interest in engineering careers. Student recruiters are instrumental in sharing their excitement about engineering with prospective students.

Summer Bridge: Summer Bridge is a four-week residential program to provide first-year engineering students with advanced preparation for their engineering curriculum.

Engineering Catalyst: This evidence-based program is designed to provide academic year-intensive support to highly motivated but less prepared first-year engineering students. The program targets incoming students who are not ready for calculus.

Engineering Advising: Early interventions are important to keep students in their engineering major and school. Through intentional intervention during the semester, faculty and staff can identify, counsel and provide personalized support for students to continue in engineering.

Scholarships: College costs are a significant barrier for many Oklahoma students. Although OU engineering provides scholarships, many students are required to work while going to school to be able to afford the cost of living and school attendance.

This work is paying off. 

“Over the past year, the college’s outreach and recruiting team have generated tremendous engagement with prospective K-12 students,” Shehab said. The team has participated in more than 150 in-person recruiting events, hosted visits to the ExxonMobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility, attended college fairs and visited high school classes across the state. 

"We continue to experience great success in the graduation of our Summer Bridge students and we are welcoming our first cohort of Engineering Catalyst students this fall," Shehab said. “This focused effort on recruiting across Oklahoma is showing immediate impact! We are expecting our first-year class will increase by nearly 100 more students than last year.”

By Lorene A. Roberson, OU Gallogly College of Engineering



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