March 22, 1999

Contact: Timothy McKernan (619) 594-2588; mckernan@mail.sdsu.edu

 

SDSU engineering enrollment defies national trend

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Hey, brother, can you spare an engineering student? The American Association of Engineering Societies (AEES) recently announced an aggressive campaign to recruit more engineering students after finding an alarming drop of nearly 20 percent in undergraduate engineering degrees awarded since 1986.

If the AAES needs a model for increasing enrollment, they need look no further than San Diego State University. At a time when engineering programs across the nation are going begging for students, SDSU,s College of Engineering is experiencing robust growth.

"Our applications for the Fall 99 semester are up 44 percent over Fall 98, and 81 percent over Fall 97, said Nicholas Panos, assistant dean of student affairs.

Panos said intensified outreach efforts are only part of the reason for SDSU,s success. The infusion of millions of dollars worth of state-of-the-art equipment for students has put the University,s engineering laboratories on par with the finest in the nation.

"You can do all the outreach you want, but it won,t do any good unless the students come away impressed with the facilities and learning environment, Panos said. He pointed to a variety of outstanding facilities and equipment, including a new virtual reality design center; "smart classrooms that allow faculty to incorporate audio, video and computer-based materials in their courses; and leading-edge computer facilities. Space has been dedicated for engineering students in one of the campus residence halls, complete with a study facility that includes nine computer workstations.

"Our laboratories allow students to work with the same equipment, the same software they would be using at the top engineering firms, Panos said. "Our students leave here ready to step in to well-paying jobs.

And jobs there are. Students benefit from SDSU,s location in one of the nation,s emerging high-tech centers, especially in areas such as wireless communication and aerospace. A recent survey showed that nearly half of all the engineers in San Diego earned their undergraduate degrees at SDSU.

"With the help of several San Diego companies, we have created an internship program that provides students the opportunity to make as much as $15,000 per year while completing their undergraduate degrees, Panos added. "This not only allows students to help finance their education, it gives them great insight on what it takes to be a professional engineer.

Panos is optimistic that the enrollment trend at SDSU will continue.

"We,re talking about a clear, identifiable need for engineers in the San Diego community and throughout the nation, he said. "We,ve created a remarkable learning environment here, one that affords a student willing to work hard every chance at success. And we,ve got the numbers to prove it.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded as a teacher training program in 1897, it has grown to offer bachelor,s degrees in 74 areas, master,s degrees in 55 areas and doctorates in 10. The more than 30,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with professors and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future.

For more information, or to arrange interviews and/or a tour of SDSU,s engineering facilities, call (619) 594-2588.