An Industry-Academy Partnership to Bridge the SES Gap in Engineering Education

The prevalent gap between students from different socioeconomic statuses (SES) affects multiple aspects of our social functionality. Among its effects, the SES gap directly impacts the opportunities to which students have access while in college and beyond. This paper discusses the efforts and partial results of a program aimed at bridging such differences for low-income, academically talented students (LIATS) in a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The reported approach leverages the relations with a group of industry partners to provide LIATS with scholarships, professional mentorship, work-shops, and on-the-job training opportunities while sharing with the in-dustry the students' e-portfolios, professional profiles, and resumes, developing a symbiotic relationship where both benefit. After three years of interactions, the results show how these opportunities helped LIATS develop their skills, leadership, and competitiveness as future STEM professionals. The experience also demonstrates that profes-sional growth opportunities are critical for engaging LIATS in real-life contexts where they collaborate and interact with industry part-ners, and for providing them with opportunities that help to bridge the SESgap.