ABSTRACT

This book aims to isolate specific success factors for underrepresented minorities in undergraduate engineering programs. Based on a three-phase study spearheaded by the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, the findings include evidence that hands-on exposure to problem-based courses, research, and especially internships are powerful catalysts for engineering success, and that both college adjustment and academic skills matter, in varying degrees, to minority success. By encompassing an unusually large number and range of programs, this research adds to the evidence base for the importance of hands-on exposure to the work of engineering.

chapter 1|7 pages

The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering

Its History and Mission

chapter 2|35 pages

Minorities in Engineering

Review of the Literature and Overview of the Study

chapter 3|38 pages

Performance and Retention to Graduation Rates of Minority Students in NACME Block Grant Institutions

Analysis of Aggregate Statistical Data

chapter 4|12 pages

Profile of Minority Engineering Students

Analysis of Focus Group Conversations

chapter 5|29 pages

Profile of Minorities in Engineering

Analysis of Focus Group Mini-Surveys by Gender Within Ethnicity

chapter 10|18 pages

Success Factors for Minorities in Engineering

Summary and Conclusions

chapter 11|2 pages

A Postscript on NACME Scholars

chapter 12|6 pages

Policy Implications

A Call to Action