IDEAs Program
Founded in 1990, the mission of the Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics (IDEAs) program is to foster community, inclusion, and belonging; create educational and career related opportunities; and boost academic success for all students.
The IDEAs Program focuses on:
- Supporting the College’s mission on student recruitment and student success, especially underrepresented students, first generation students, low-income students, and persons with disabilities.
- Partnering with the community and companies to empower highly qualified graduates in engineering, engineering technology, computing and polymers from underrepresented groups.
- Associating with national professional organizations to promote the importance of inclusivity in engineering, including the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) and the National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates, Inc. (NAMEPA).
The IDEAs Program supports students by providing the following benefits:
- Connection with fellow students
- Opportunities to network with alum and industry partners
- Success series workshops
- Study groups
- Mentoring
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PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
IDEAs Study Center
Located in Schrank Hall North #353, the IDEAs Study Center is a room dedicated to students in the IDEAs program. It is a quiet place to study, participate in group study sessions, get help from ambassadors, and meet with alumni/company representatives.
Speaker Series
IDEAs Alumni and company representatives are welcome to meet with the students in the IDEAs Program in person or virtually, through formal information sessions or chats. It is the friendliest way for our professional development.
Outreach Funding Opportunity for CEPS Student Organizations
IDEAs program offers a $250 grant each semester to eligible student organizations that conduct outreach events to promote STEM and/or Engineering to K-12 students in underrepresented communities. Please note that only one grant is awarded each semester.
Undergraduate Research
The IDEAs Program helps students connect with faculty members and opportunities to do undergraduate research.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
The IDEAs Program supports NSBE and SHPE student chapters.
“I love being an IDEAs ambassador because it is so rewarding to help students succeed in their classes.”
— Alexander McGinnis, majoring in electrical engineering
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STUDENT VOICES
As a boy building towers with Legos, Joshua Thomas knew then that he wanted to be an engineer. Today he is a structural engineer with WSP, an international consulting firm.
Melissa Cardew, a mechanical engineering student and member of the IDEAs program talks about her experience with how helpful the faculty and program was in her success at UA.
IDEAs Advisory Council
The goal of the IDEAs Advisory Council is to utilize the expertise of leaders across the nation to support our goals of recruiting and retaining underrepresented students into the College of Engineering and Polymer Science.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
- Everton H. Callum, Global VP and Head of HR, G&H Photonics
- Halle Jones Capers, P.E., President, Halle's Engineering and Design
- Michael Ciammaichella P.E., IDEAs Program Chairperson, Vice President, Civil Division Manager, The Ruhlin Company
- Noah Klinksiek, Manager - Gas Design Distribution, Dominion Energy
- Jane Lacy, Product Manager, Akzo Nobel Paints LLC
- Tanya Miracle, Director, OE Truck Channel, Bridgestone
- Drake Smalley, Sr. Engineering-3D Printed Polymers and Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson Services
- Nuwoo Smith, Commercial and Industrial Projects Program Manager, CLEAResult
- Whittney Brandon-Treadwell, Director of DEI, Sleep Number Corporation