University of North Dakota - School of Engineering and Mines
In Collaboration with the 3M Foundation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

To address the dearth of American Indians enrolled in and graduating from engineering programs, the School of Engineering and Mines at the University of North Dakota is partnering with UND American Indian programs and with selected high schools, community colleges and tribal colleges in North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota to establish a pipeline for access to engineering for American Indian students. The program will provide support, direction and programming for students prior to enrolling at UND, and throughout their campus careers. UND has a large array of American Indian student programs and activities, and currently provides support for almost 400 American Indian undergraduate and graduate students. The proposed program will benefit greatly from the existing infrastructure and support network.

The basis of the program is to establish an annual cohort of students who will be mutually supportive. In addition, the cohort will be supported, tutored and advised to ensure that the group is initially prepared for enrollment at UND and subsequently equipped for graduation success.

The program will be administered and operated by a director with advisory council oversight. In addition, advisors and mentors at the student locations will be available to provide support on a continuous basis. To build individual and cohortcapabilities, activities including meetings, seminars, visits, projects and summer employment will be regularly scheduled.

The 3M Foundation is funding the first two years of the program, which has as a goal the admission of the 2005 Cohort to engineering programs at UND. It is planned that the full program will extend over six years, and will become self sustaining over that time period. The ultimate goal is to graduate 4-6 American Indian engineers each year to provide a pool of expertise and skills for the American Indian communities in the Upper Great Plains.