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Session 2347

Retention and Recruitment Plan for Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

Saeed D. Foroudastan, Ph.D., Associate Professor Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies Department Middle Tennessee State University

Abstract

With the many problems facing universities today, recruitment and retention are high on the list needing attention. Steps or goals to develop recruitment plans need to be implemented and continually improved upon to keep pace with today’s changing needs. Target areas which require attention include those which directly or indirectly affect the students: to keep those currently enrolled interested in staying within the department, to convince undeclared majors to select a degree and a career from Engineering Technology programs, to actively recruit high school students and older nontraditional students currently working, and to improve the attitude and professional development of faculty and staff, as well as curriculums. A timeline should be utilized to structure the execution of these ideas.

Innovative methods for recruiting are discussed. Implementation plans need to be developed which are directed to these target areas. When any of the goals are achieved via the retention and recruitment target timeline, the department will be strengthened by way of growth in numbers and the personal connections with the students. The students need to witness positive attitudes and be treated as customers. The department needs to work towards offering a quality degree program meeting the needs of the 21st century. The entire field of Engineering Technology is changing and the career options are changing. To retain students, any university must meet the need.

Introduction

A major problem facing the Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies Department at MTSU is recruitment and retention of the students. To turn this situation around, steps to develop a recruiting program need to be implemented and continually improved upon. Efforts at this time should focus on recruitment plans to cover five basic target areas: (1) to keep those currently enrolled in the department interested in staying in the department; (2) to convince the high percentage of undeclared majors at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) that Engineering Technology (ET) can supply them what they need for successful careers; (3) to recruit high school students to choose ET as a career; (4) to recruit the skilled, already employed,

Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright @ 2001, American Society for Engineering Education

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Foroudastan, S. (2001, June), Retention And Recruitment Plan For Engineering Technology And Industrial Studies At Middle Tennessee State University Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9744