Driving Student Success in Engineering
More than a century ago, T.U. Taylor, UT Austin’s first engineering faculty member and dean, began drawing an elaborate check mark — a “Ramshorn” — on his students’ best papers. The Ramshorn soon became a symbol of distinction, a standard of quality that represented Texas Engineering excellence. Reflecting this commitment to excellence, the Ramshorn Scholars Program was established in 2016 as an academic learning community dedicated to helping select undergraduate students find success and persevere through the rigors of the UT engineering curriculum. The program’s goal is simple: to ease the transition from high school to college and develop each student’s innate potential.
I feel that I would not have thrived in my first two years as easily as I have without the Ramshorn Scholars Program. It has provided me with connections in my classes that promoted study groups and faculty relationships.
Our Mission
The Ramshorn Scholars Program focuses on three key areas:
Easing the Transition
An engineering education can be daunting for many students, particularly those struggling financially or who are the first in their family to attend college. We provide key resources — such as reserved seats in select first-year courses, supplemental instruction courses and first-year interest groups (FIGs) — to make every student’s transition successful and develop their understanding of what it means to be an engineer.
Fostering a Supportive Community
We believe a strong, supportive community plays a vital role in the lives of our students. By providing a multifaceted Ramshorn Scholars community, the Cockrell School can enrich our scholars’ experiences and better prepare them for the industries in which they will work. Through tutoring with a Ramshorn Scholars Academic Coach, community-building activities and exclusive social events, scholars benefit from a network of peers and mentors eager to assist.
Shaping Future Leaders
Our students should graduate from UT Austin ready to make an impact in their careers. We are committed to engaging students in pre-professional leadership opportunities that hone the character qualities they need to become confident leaders. Through internship offerings and networking events, we put our students in a position to succeed after graduation.
