Developing Leadership Skills and Creating Community in Engineering Students

The goal of the program Identifying and Developing Engineers as Leaders (IDEAL) was to improve retention of students with demonstrated financial need (based on the FAFSA) during the first two years of their engineering studies and to develop their leadership skills. The goal was accomplished by increasing engagement in both curricular and extracurricular activities. The objectives of the program were: 1) to identify incoming engineering students with high potential for leadership, 2) to enhance and build leadership skills, 3) to build academic excellence, and 4) to foster community among students through living in the Engineering Living and Learning Community (ELLC).