2008-09 Minority Engineering Program (MEP) Programs
Retention
Welcome Week
At the beginning of each fall semester, MEP hosts events during the first week of school, we host volleyball, dodgeball, soccer competition & a block party to introduce freshmen to MEP and 4 different student organizations. The 4 executive boards put together a goodie bag for the incoming freshmen and personally deliver them.
Freshman and Transfer Student Retreat
Each fall semester MEP sponsors a Freshman and Transfer Student Retreat. In 2008 we visited the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park. Freshmen and transfer students learned the secrets of engineering success from several CSM upper-class volunteers. Workshops included how to succeed in college, networking, and group activities.
Exam Simulation Program (ESP)
Now in its eighth year, this program alleviates students' test-taking anxiety. Participants take a simulation exam several days before the actual test. Facilitated by an upperclassman in association with professors, new students prepare for Calculus, Chemistry and Physics.
Academic Counseling and Tracking
MEP is able to closely monitor student's academics throughout their first and second year. MEP staff maintains an open door policy to meet individually with students who may be experiencing academic or social difficulties. Throughout the year, staff mentors also help to monitor student progress every two weeks, in addition to those in CSM 101.
Professional Development
Professional Development Weekend (PDW)
In 2008, Representatives from corporate partners presented various workshops to MEP Students. The one day event included presentations on Networking, an Engineering competition and lots more.
Click here for more information! - Click here to register!
W,ork, Interview & Resume Experience Day (WIRED)
Working with the Career Center, MEP sponsors a half day event where corporate recruiters are available to critique students' resumes and conduct practice interviews one on one. Students bring their resumes and come ready to get some very valuable help from experienced recruiters. This event is open to all CSM students. WIRED is scheduled the day before each Career Fair.
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Leadership Retreat
The leadership retreat supports the transition of MEP Student Leaders from year to year. The retrat is held off campus.
Annual Awards Banquet
MEP celebrated twenty years of success with this year's banquet in May 2008. The event, organized by MEP students, honors graduating seniors. More than 300 students, staff and corporate representatives were in attendance.
Sponsorship of Four Student Organizations
Four student professional societies are supported by the Minority Engineering Program office: American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Professional Asian Society of Engineers and Scientists (PASES), and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). Our chapters are nationally recognized and students are supported and encouraged to attend regional and national conferences. More detailed information on the groups can be found by clicking on their respective web sites.
For more information click on the respective acronyms: AISES - NSBE - PASES - SHPE.
Outreach
On Campus Visits
Working with the Admissions office, MEP hosted numerous pre-college groups throughout the year. A student ambassador from Admissions would give a campus tour, and then a group of four to six MEP students would sit on a student panel for our visitors. MEP also coordinated with USGS Earthquake Center and/or Geology Museum in Berthoud Hall.
High School Visits and Recruiting
Because our office coordinates directly with the Office of Admissions, MEP staff recruits at college fairs within Denver Public Schools and surrounding metro areas. Several hundred prospective students interacted with MEP staff.
Minority Engineering Conference (MEC), in conjunction with Admissions
In conjunction with Admissions, MEP supports MEC on this two-day event where hundreds of 7th through 11th graders and their parents attend the event. Both Students and parents are introduced, by this event, to the post-secondary educational process. Students learn what Colorado School of Mines has to offer by visiting each department and asking questions.
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Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Jamboree, in conjunction with Admissions
Working with the Office of Admissions, MEP supports (MESA) with high school competitions including egg drop, trebuchet competition, website design, and many others. In 2008, over 300 students participated in the Jamboree on the Mines campus.
Summer Programs
Preparation for Engineering Program (PREP), in conjunction with Admissions
In 1995, the PREP was awarded a seed grant from the Department of Energy to establish a sister program to SUMMET for eighth and ninth grade students. Students spend three weeks living on campus and simulating the college experience, with emphasis on math, science and engineering. Nearly two hundred students have participated in PREP in its twelve-year existence.
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SUMmer Minority Engineering Training Program (SUMMET), in conjunction with Admissions
SUMMET began in 1971 by a group of six faculty members who were concerned about the low enrollment of minority students in engineering. During the one-week program, students performed small experiments and investigated engineering concepts with the professors. Six to ten Denver area students were selected to participate in the activities.
In 1991, the program was awarded a Program of Excellence (POE) grant from the Colorado Commission of Higher Education (CCHE). The grant allowed the further development and improvement of the program. One of these improvements was to increase enrollment to 60 students. The other was the full implementation of the two-week academic and two-week group project curriculum. The POE grant ended in 1995.
During summer 2002, thirty-nine high school juniors and seniors participated in the three-week residential session. Throughout the years, it is estimated that over twelve hundred students have benefited from the SUMMET program.
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Challenge Program
First established at CSM in 1989, challenge is a four-week summer academic transitional bridge program for selected freshmen that otherwise may not qualify to attend the school. The objective of the Challenge program is to introduce minority students to and prepare them for the academic rigors of Colorado School of Mines, including "hurdle" courses such as Calculus and Chemistry. The students learn Mathematics 100 and Chemistry 111 as prerequisites for Calculus 121 and Chemistry 121. Students learn from CSM faculty and earn academic credit for their work. Other than transportation to CSM and personal spending money, the selected students attend the program for a nominal charge.
Challenge students indicate a strong probability of success in college but due to curriculum choices or college exam results, would likely be denied admission to CSM without the opportunity to prove themselves in the program. Challenge students must successfully complete the program in order to be admitted to CSM in the Fall.
The program strives to create a sense of community and introduces students to successful study habits, time and stress management, resources on campus and team building activities such as ropes course and rafting. The students are exposed to working engineers through corporate tours.
In 2008, 39 students completed Challenge.