Special session - does size matter? Small programs contribute as many graduates to the engineering workforce as large programs do

This special session focuses on the characteristics of small engineering schools: schools with fewer than 75 engineering faculty members. Based on the 2004 ASEE database, approximately 200 schools are in this category, about 60% of universities and colleges with engineering programs. Collectively these programs produced the same number of engineering graduates (14,000 or 25% of the total) as the 20 largest schools. Considering the collective impact of these programs, and their potential flexibility and nimbleness in implementing change, innovations at small engineering schools could have significant impact in transforming engineering education. Small schools must participate broadly in changing engineering education if all graduates are to be more like the Engineer of 2020. Small engineering schools need to collaborate in identifying their strengths and in overcoming impediments to change. This special session invites participants from small schools to share data, practices, and problems to increase awareness of the capabilities and challenges for innovative engineering education at smaller engineering schools.