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Creating and Maintaining the Momentum: outreach, recruitment and retention strategies from Nuclear Engineering

Lisa Marshall, Chris Turner Department of Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University/Simpson Communications

Abstract Nuclear Engineering is one of the older engineering disciplines experiencing a rebirth. How this rebirth gets articulated outside the discipline will determine, in part, its success. How has NC State’s program capitalized on the spotlight to further engage in public education and strategic growth of their undergraduate and graduate programs? What role have students, faculty, staff, alumni and key external partners played in expanding the understanding of the field? We will present results of initiatives that have grown interest, increased enrolment and improved retention. This session examines strategies employed to broaden the perception of nuclear science from K-12 through graduate studies. NC State’s Nuclear Engineering program is part of a Department of Energy Nuclear Engineering and Technology pilot project examining the creation and maintenance of this momentum.

Keywords Nuclear engineering; K12 outreach; undergraduate recruitment; graduate recruitment

Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) must be articulated at the departmental level for optimum success. In this paper, we will elaborate on SEM and tactics employed by North Carolina State University Department of Nuclear Engineering which has resulted in an average increase enrolment of 28% in the undergraduate program, 43% in the graduate program and a stabilization of student enrolment near targeted 120 and 50 respectively.

First, SEM is described as the cradle to grave approach within higher education. It is the process by which relations are forged, providing all concern with identifiable benefits. Adding to the typical components, we include outreach and recruitment, retention and career services along with graduation and alumni development. It is a comprehensive plan that involves academic and non-academic components. Realistic goal setting and implementation must be continuingly revised and sustained. Some of the obvious goals include stabilizing enrolment, establishing a symbiotic link between academics and SEM strategies, stabilizing finances, optimizing (non)- human resources, enhancing services and quality and maintaining external partnerships (with educators, administrators, industry and government).

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

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Turner, C., & Marshall, L. (2005, June), Creating And Maintaining The Momentum: Outreach, Recruitment And Retention Strategies From Nuclear Engineering Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--14928