Our first- and second-year retention rates indicate that the six-year graduation rates will continue to increase. During 2006-07, Michigan Tech awarded 40 (46 in 2005–06) bachelor’s degrees, 10 (6 in 2005-06) master’s degreees, and 1 (4 in 2005–06) PhDs to underrepresented minority students. During 2006–07, Michigan Tech awarded 227 bachelor’s degrees (251 in 2005–06), 53 master’s degrees (65 in 2005–06), and 21 PhDs (9 in 2005–06 to women. The University’s six-year graduation rate for females compares favorably to the national averages. Nationally, in all majors, women had a six-year graduation rate of 56.7 percent in all majors, and 56.8 percent in STEM disciplines. Michigan Tech had rates of 63.7 percent in all majors, and 67.6 percent in STEM disciplines. National data is unavailable for URM. *STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics †These Nat’l figures are from 2006–07 CSRDE Retention Report

In on-campus surveys, as well as in a national survey (1999 Engineering Information Foundation Student Engineering Experience Survey), which was sponsored by the Women in Engineering Programs Advocates Network (WEPAN), women students indicate a high satisfaction with their educational experiences at Michigan Tech. On the same survey, 75 percent of Michigan Tech’s female respondents said they were confident that engineering was the right career for them. More than 35 percent had participated in Michigan Tech’s precollege programs. The University continues to assess its recruitment, retention, and academic programs that support student success and graduation. The University recently implemented a Climate Study. Through a survey and focus groups, baseline data on student, faculty, and staff perceptions were collected and linked with an understanding of the cultural and working environment. The result: recommendations to improve and enhance ongoing efforts, as well as new initiatives. In addition, the University is participating in a national Project to Assess Climate in Engineering (PACE), funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and conducted by the Center for Workforce Development at the University of Washington. We anticipate that the information that the University receives from the PACE project will help us improve retention among all undergraduate engineering students.

Michigan Tech’s Department of Educational Opportunity and other departments offer programs for female and other underrepresented student groups that provide outreach, access, mentoring, encouragement, and professional development. The programs use the strengths of the University and participants—precollege students, University students, alumnae, corporate partners—to attract, recruit, and retain new students. Programs that focus on providing support mechanisms for Michigan Tech students who are underrepresented enhance the learning environment and offer the opportunity for personal and professional growth for all of our students. An example is the ExSEL program. ExSEL is a partnership between Michigan Tech’s Department of Educational Opportunity, all of the University’s schools and colleges, and the State of Michigan’s King-Chavez-Parks Initiative. Through course work, grade monitoring, and other support services, the program encourages success for academically and economically disadvantaged students who are primarily in their first year at Michigan Tech. Additionally, ExSEL Programs and Academic Enrichment provide contact and support for students in a variety of scholarship programs, and they coordinate other enrichment activities, such as the e-mentoring service, Mentornet. ExSEL Programs promotes the use of such campus resources as learning centers, academic advisors, Outreach and MultiEthnic Coordinators, and COMPASS (Center for Orientation, Mentoring, Parents, Advising, and Student Support), enhancing services for all students. Michigan Tech remains committed to enrolling and graduating greater percentages of underrepresented minorities and females, as well as improving the graduation rates of all of our students.