A comprehensive model for enhancing minority student success

The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University (USA) has a long, rich tradition of recruiting, nurturing and graduating minority engineering students. As the national trend of declining enrolment of all students in engineering, and particularly minority students continues, the College of Engineering has managed to maintain or buck the trend by shelving steady increases in their enrolment numbers and graduation rates. The infrastructure that fosters this success in engineering is being replicated through a campus-wide network of African-American Coordinators. The authors describe the structure, management, administration and responsibilities of the NC State University African-American Coordinating Committee. They also present information directly related to minority engineering student success, including discussions of student bridge programs, recruitment and celebration of academic success.