The impact of Academic Enrichment Program at Hampton University

There have been considerable efforts over the past two decades to increase the retention and graduation rates and quality of women and under represented minorities in engineering. One of the approaches taken at Hampton University to achieve this goal is the Academic Enrichment Summer Program (AESP). The program is designed to give students a head-start in the field of engineering at Hampton University. The impact of the result will address the major shortfall of freshman's interest in engineering careers. The issues surrounding the significant decline and a low enrolment in engineering programs by women and under-represented minorities is discussed. The results of the cumulative five year Academic Enrichment Summer Program are presented. The participants of this program have benefited tremendously in improving their academic standing and were better prepared to start their engineering education at Hampton University when they enrolled.