Community Building and Retention Programs
First Year Initiative (FYI)
Timeframe: September through May
The First Year Initiative (FYI) is designed to increase the retention rate of first year female engineering students into their second year. FYI events provide academic and peer support to inform students about engineering as a major and to connect students to the engineering community and the resources available to them. As part of FYI, first year women are matched with Peer Assistance Leaders (PALs), undergraduate mentors in their majors, who help answer questions about being an engineering student and maintain communications throughout the fall and spring semesters.
Peer Assistance Leaders (PALs)
Timeframe: September through May
Peer Assistance Leaders (PALs) provide support to first year engineering women transitioning from high school into the Cockrell School of Engineering and work with WEP to recruit students to UT. Upper-class PALs also serve as mentors to 2nd and 3rd year PALs and other 2nd year students. PALs:
- receive skills development and leadership training,
- serve as resources and role models,
- organize and participate in opportunities for first year women to get connected within the Cockrell School of Engineering, and
- help coordinate pre-college programs.
Over 70 PALs representing all departments are selected and trained by WEP each year.
Women Engineers in LittlefielD (WELD)
Timeframe: September through May
The Women Engineers in LittlefielD (WELD) Program is a retention-focused program providing first year women in engineering the opportunity to live together in a residential community. Participation in WELD allows students to:
- live in a tight-knit community of women who have common interests
- live in the closest dorm to the engineering complex
- form study groups right where they live
- share their experiences with pre-college students participating in WEP recruiting events.
First-year Interest Groups (FIGs)
Timeframe: September through May
The First-year Interest Group (FIG) program is a University-based initiative aimed at retaining students into their second year. Participants in each FIG take one to three cohort courses together and meet with a WEP Staff FIG facilitator and peer mentor for a one hour weekly seminar. Seminar topics are selected to help students adjust to life at UT, develop strategies for a successful college career, get connected to their major and have some fun. WEP facilitates three FIGs:
- All About ME: Open to first year women majoring in Mechanical Engineering
- The A.C.E.S.: Open to first year engineering women majoring in Architectural or Civil Engineering
- Rockin’ Pipettes: Open to first year women majoring in Biomedical or Chemical Engineering
| TOPWEP eCommunity
Timeframe: September through May
The WEP eCommunity serves as a communication and marketing tool for WEP and an on-line resource center for students seeking information on WEP initiatives. The eCommunity is automatically made available to all women enrolled in the Cockrell School of Engineering and can be accessed through the “My Organizations” section of Blackboard. It is open to all other students, alumni and industry representatives upon request.
Year Two (Y2)
Timeframe: September through May
The Y2 program is designed with the needs, occasional doubts and questions of second year students in mind. Y2 provides advice and a career exploration network that helps students explore their options and make informed decisions about their college careers and future plans. Y2 encourages women to make their second year the YEAR TO:
- commit to completing an engineering degree
- solidify their choice of major
- explore career options through externships, internships, co-ops and undergraduate research
Y2 consists of a fall kick-off event, targeted communications, peer mentoring and skills development through WEP pre-college program volunteer opportunities.
The Options Conference (The OC)
Timeframe: February
The Options Conference (The OC) is a one-day interactive conference that gives students a chance to explore their engineering major and career options. Students continually ask for workshops on what they can do with their engineering degree and are seeking role models who can share experiences with them. During The OC, students have a chance to talk with peers, faculty and industry representatives about a variety of topics including: industry options, graduate school opportunities, nontraditional engineering positions, and law and medical school application processes. The OC includes panel discussions, networking and lunch. Attendance is limited to 100 engineering students.