Summer Diversity Program Enhances Female and Underrepresented Minority Student Academic Performance and Retention in the Drexel University College of Engineering

Women and minority students are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Summer bridge programs may be one way to target this population, and help to ensure academic success and retention in the college years. Over the past three years, the College of Engineering hosted a “pre-orientation” program for accepted incoming students. The program goal was to prepare female and underrepresented minority freshmen for life as engineering students at Drexel University. This program familiarized students with the engineering curriculum and prepared them to succeed in their freshman year through community building and social activities. Program participants showed significant positive outcomes following the program in areas such as problem solving and experimentation, communication, data interpretation and organizational skills. In addition program participant retention was significantly higher than students that did not participate in the program. The authors believe that bridge programs and in particular, the College of Engineering Summer Diversity Program provided incoming female and underrepresented minority freshmen with the academic and social foundation to help them succeed in their engineering education.