"Initiatives to Improve Student Success and Retention in The Lyles College of Engineering California State University, Fresno"

It is widely known that the science, technology and innovation (STI) are important drivers of the economy, which affect nearly all aspects of our everyday lives.Engineering is in turn central to the innovation and our modern society.Recently, however, there has been a great deal of concern regarding the future of engineering education in the U.S. and abroad.Three key challenges have been at the core of these deliberations involving globalization, public perceptions of engineering, and retention of engineering students.This article will focus on the third challenge and strategies developed in the Lyles College of Engineering at California State University, Fresno ('Fresno State') to improve the student success and in turn the retention.Attrition of engineering students, especially during the early semesters, is staggering.It is estimated that nationally only 50 to 60 percent of engineering students graduate in six years.It has been determined that engineering students often do not identify themselves with engineering during the first two years because they are primarily taking math and science and other general education courses, thus, very little exposure to engineering.Students are dissatisfied with the teaching and advising within the engineering disciplines.Also, the curricula may be too restrictive.Attrition is typically higher among women and minorities.Fresno State, designated as Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), faces similar challenges.First time/full time freshmen 4-year graduation rate is 14%, 6-year graduation rate is 49%, respectively.Lyles College of Engineering has launched a number of initiatives in relation to student success to improve retention.These entail summer enrichment workshops, articulations with community colleges, academic success workshops, intrusive academic advising for students that are academically at-risk, peer mentoring programs, professional speaker series, field trips, tutoring services, professional development workshops, and numerous other opportunities that will be elaborated herein.