Eric Gingrich Elizabeth Halash Alisha John Stephen Saputo December 9, 2008 In Affiliation with ENG 3050

Background For the past five years undergraduate enrolment within the college of engineering at Wayne State University has been decreasing students year

Source: wayne.edu

Research Methods Collected enrollment data for WSU and comparable universities Interviewed Andrea Eisenburg, Academic Services Officer at Wayne State University's College of Engineering Surveyed undergraduate engineering students Compared Wayne State to similar universities

Options Identified Increase high school visits and programs Increase representation at community college fairs Implement a “Wayne Direct” program Organize a “Tech Day” Improve Wayne State University College of Engineering website

Increase high school visits and programs

Educate students about different engineering disciplines Remove uncertainty students have Interact with students Represent the Wayne State College of Engineering

Increase representation at community college fairs

Talk to perspective transfer students Inform transfer students about engineering programs Discuss the transfer process

Implement “Wayne Direct” program

Allows students dual enrollment at Wayne State University and a community college Targets transfer students who attend local community colleges Utilizes current Wayne State’s facilities

Organize a “Tech Day”

Introduce prospective students to Wayne State University’s College of Engineering Educate students about available programs within the college Interact with students and parents Remove uncertainty students and parents have about Wayne State and engineering

Organize a “Tech Day” Student Schedule

Organize a “Tech Day” Parent Schedule

Improve Wayne State University College of Engineering website

Website is lacking the following desirable elements: Visual appeal Simple navigation Specific section for different demographics Updated information

College of Engineering Websites University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University

Criteria Necessary Cost Persons required for implementation Desirable Number of students impacted Ease of implementation

Evaluating Increasing High School Visits and Programs Pros Easy implementation Large number of students Low transportation costs to local area high schools Cons Considerable amount of travel

Evaluating Increasing Representation at Community College Fairs Pros Small financial cost Easy implementation Opportunity to reach students who are considering transferring Cons Considerable time of staff members

Evaluating Implementing “Wayne Direct” program Pros Easy implementation Utilization of existing resources – minimal cost Cons Small number of students impacted

Evaluating “Tech Day” Pros Specific and large group of students reached Cons Implementation requires considerable organization, time and volunteers Large financial cost Large number of volunteers needed

Evaluating Improving Wayne State University College of Engineering Website Pros Easy implementation Large number of students impacted Few persons required for implementation Cons Large financial cost

Summary Cost Persons Required for Implementation Number of Students Impacted Ease of Implementation Total Option One: Increase high school visits and programs Option Two: Increase representation at community college fairs Option Three: Organize a “Tech Day.” Option Four: Implement “Wayne Direct” program Option Five: Improve Wayne State University College of Engineering website

Recommendations We recommend that the Wayne State University College of Engineering implement all of the following options: Increase high school visits and programs Increase representation at community college fairs Organize a “Tech Day” Implement “Wayne Direct” program Improve Wayne State University College of Engineering website

Recommendations With limited resources we recommend improving the Wayne State University College of Engineering website

Thank You! Questions?