People. Programs. Places.
In order to fulfill its mission, the College of Engineering is dedicated to three strategic priorities: a renewed emphasis on expansion opportunities for underserved and new constituencies, a focus on faculty opportunity, and an expansion of undergraduate and graduate enrollment. The College of Engineering has identified approximately $6 million in needed improvements to reinforce our commitment to academic excellence, faculty, students, and technology/facilities.
Commitment to Academic Excellence
$700,000
Funds for cooperative education will support the growth of a program that combines academic study and practical work experience—a hands-on learning and training partnership between the College, the employer, and the student. The College also seeks to enhance its minority engineering program, which
is designed to increase the enrollment, retention, and graduation rate of minority students.
In addition to seeking funding for cooperative education and minority engineering programs, the College also hopes to secure funding to support its Supplemental Instruction and Off-Campus Instructional Programs. The recently instituted Supplemental Instruction Remedial Program is dedicated to increasing the math capabilities of our students. This program has gained the attention of peer universities. While the College of Engineering currently provides undergraduate degree programs to non-traditional students through both on- and off-campus weekend programs, we are hoping to realize our goal of offering a master’s degree.
Commitment to Faculty
$l.565 million
By obtaining generous gifts to enhance the quality of engineering faculty through endowed chairs, professorships, and fellowships, the College will be better able to attract top scholars and administrators. These individuals will revitalize the university’s research initiatives, ultimately allowing us to compete effectively with peer institutions. Funds to name endowed chairs and professors must also be augmented with fellowships and professional development funds to assist engineering faculty with expenses related to professional travel and specialized teaching programs with corporate and industrial partners.
Endowed awards, which honor named donors and recognize their commitment to faculty excellence, are an additional priority. We present several faculty awards each year. Among them are The Dean Thomas B. Jefferson Outstanding Teacher Award, the Dean Kenneth E. Tempelmeyer Outstanding Faculty Research Award, and the Dean Juh Wah Chen Outstanding Faculty Research Paper Award.
Commitment to Students
$l.75 million
Attracting talented and highly qualified undergraduate as well as graduate students to the College of Engineering is a major priority. With more financial incentives, we will be better able to compete with other Illinois schools and improve the quality of our student community. Endowed merit scholarships and an endowed fund for graduate student research are critical to the College’s success. Also, we must provide additional need-based scholarships for deserving first-generation college students and those who face economic hardship.
The College of Engineering also seeks endowed funds to assist the students in the College’s Design Team programs: Formula Race Car, Concrete Canoe, Moon Buggy, and Steel Bridge. These hands-on team challenges are unique opportunities for students to hone their skills and develop a true passion for engineering design.
Commitment to Technology and Facilities
$2 million
Changing technologies require that we upgrade and maintain our teaching and research labs to provide the training resources demanded in today’s competitive professional arena. The College seeks generous funding so that we may be responsive to changing needs and continue to offer students a superlative engineering education. | 
