Why Utah Wants More Engineers?

Utah's Engineers: A Statewide Initiative for Growth

The UofU Mission: State-Wide Vision to Double the Engineering and Computer Science Graduates

The University of Utah College of Engineering is recognized at the highest levels of state government and local industrial leadership as an economic engine for the Intermountain West. Utah is rapidly expanding as a diversified regional economy, fueled by the engineers produced by the state’s universities. Over 70 percent of the 600+ graduates from the UofU College of Engineering stay in the state, working at existing companies, or founding dynamic, new industries. This is estimated to have increased the Utah economy $189M over the past 5 years. Recognizing the economic power of engineering, in 2000 former Gov. Leavitt challenged Utah’s nine universities to double the number of engineering and computer science graduates. Ultimately, the vision was adopted by the state legislative leaders, business leaders, and university presidents. Since then, Utah has invested steadily in the infrastructure to support engineering / CS growth through base budget allocations for engineering education, physical infrastructure including buildings and equipment, salary incentives for science and math teachers in the public education system, and a forgivable loan program for engineering graduates who stay in Utah to work after graduation. Business leaders have responded in kind, matching state and university investments with millions of dollars of support for research, equipment, scholarships, and new programs. Utah’s higher education system responded with matching funds, outreach and recruitment programs, and a visionary plan to articulate the first two years of all of Utah’s higher education programs. This state-mandated effort has resulted in common course numbers, syllabi, and learning expectations. Nearly 50% of the engineering graduates at the University of Utah transfer into the program, most from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), and a few from other two year colleges throughout the state. This articulation ensures that transfer students do not “lose” courses upon transfer, and that they receive the same high quality education provided at the more expensive four year schools.

Utah’s Engineering Initiative is paying off. In the past five years, engineering and computer science graduates in the state have increased 46% (from 1375 in year 2000 to 2001 in year 2005), which outpaces the national trend by a factor of two. This was accomplished with a modest 22% increase in combined state and university funding. Utah’s higher education system has been ranked #1 in the nation in value per dollar. (NCHEMS, 2006) The state of Utah has invested in the infrastructure for growth -- over $5.5M in ongoing funds, $4.5M in one-time funds, and $0.55M in loan forgiveness in the past five years. But we still need an ADDITIONAL 180 new graduates each year to meet the state goal of doubling the number of engineering / CS graduates.

Contact Information

For questions about this grant, or to GET INVOLVED

Dr. Cynthia Furse Principal Investigator (801) 585-7234/581-6941 cfurse@ece.utah.edu

Dr. Dave Richerson Program Manager (801) 585-9298 richersond@aol.com

To schedule an activity at your school, college tours, after school activities, etc.

Deidre Schoenfeld College of Engineering, Coordinator of Outreach & Diversity

(801) 581-8954 dschoenfeld@coe.utah.edu

To learn more about getting into Engineering at the U

Dianne Leonard College of Engineering, Academic Advisor

(801) 585-7769 dleonard@coe.utah.edu

The Full Project Team

Upcoming Events

Engineering Day! October 20, 9-12 am

Meet a robot, a dancing fountain, and your neighborhood Engineering Inventors

Location: College of Engineering, University of Utah

Free and open to the public. High school students wanted!

More information will be posted here soon.

For details contact: Deidre Schoenfeld (801) 581-8954 dschoenfeld@coe.utah.edu

Community Partners

	Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science (AMES)
	Utah Math Engineering Science Technology (MESA/STEP)
	Utah Campus Compact
	Governor’s Office for Economic Development
	Utah State Board of Education
	Project Lead the Way, Weber State University
	Engineers Without Borders
	Wasatch Front Consortium