ACES-Academic Center for Engineers and Scientists-a model for science, engineering and mathematics student success

The National Science Foundation´s Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) Initiative is a project that will produce universities which will serve as models for improving the quantity and quality of science, engineering and mathematics graduates. MIE is designed to encourage and support our most promising engineering and science students to stay in school, up through graduate school. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), as a designated MIE institution, has created a new multifunctional, state-of-the-art facility to serve the needs of undergraduate engineering and science students. ACES or the Academic Center for Engineers and Scientists, is the student-support facility, intended to serve as a hub for engineering and science student activities. The Center will provide a comfortable, well-equipped space for group and individual study meetings, workshops, and symposia as well as a place to relax and meet with other students. The Center also includes an active learning center, a quiet study area, multi-purpose rooms, a computer work room, a lounge and vending cafe and the General Motors Student Conference Facility. In addition, the Center will serve as clearinghouse for information regarding graduate and professional schools, and employment opportunities. Although it signifies a change in academic culture-valuing integration as well as specialization, teamwork as well as individual achievement and educational innovation as well as research, ACES hopes to hone the intellectual skills needed by practising engineers and scientists for the next century.