Community Building and Retention Programs
- First Year Initiative (FYI)
- Peer Assistance Leaders (PALs)
- Women Engineers in LittlefielD (WELD)
- First-year Interest Groups (FIGs)
- Year Two (Y2)
- WEP eCommunity
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.
- Recognition on all email communications and marketing materials
- Participation as panelists or during welcome of FYI events
- Company handouts, giveaways and/or door prizes
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.
- Recognition on all email communications and marketing materials
- Participation as panelists or during welcome of PAL trainings or events
- Company handouts, giveaways and/or door prizes
- Access to student resumes
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.
- Recognition on all email communications and marketing materials
- Participation as panelists or during welcome of WELD events
- Company handouts, giveaways and/or door prizes
- Access to student resumes
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
- FIG FIG: Open to first year engineering women in all majors
- Rockin' Pipettes: Open to first year women majoring in Biomedical or Chemical Engineering
- Recognition on all email communications and marketing materials
- Participation as panelists or during welcome of FIG events
- Company handouts, giveaways and/or door prizes
- Access to student resumes
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.
- Recognition on all email communications and marketing materials
- Participation as panelists or during welcome of Y2 events
- Recognition on Y2 event PowerPoint welcome slides and The OC Program Booklet
- Company handouts, giveaways and/or door prizes
WEP 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.
- Recognition on all email communications and marketing materials
- Recognition on eCommunity online Blackboard site
- Company online postings and announcements
- Company handouts, giveaways and/or door prizes