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Abstract:
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In the fall of 2002, the Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research Community (CIRC) program began at the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering. CIRC was funded by the National Science Foundation Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSEMS) program. The purpose of CIRC is to graduate more U.S. citizens and permanent residents in engineering and computer science and to also encourage these students to go on to graduate school. An emphasis of the program is on underrepresented minority and women students to help increase the low national representation of women (20%) and of minority students (5%) in engineering graduate schools. In addition to being strong academic students, the participants in the program must also have financial need as defined by FAFSA. The evolution of the program over four years is described. Beginning in Spring 2005, a detailed study plan was also presented to the students in addition to the usual time management workshop. Evaluations are taken at each meeting and the results are given back to the students at the subsequent meeting. Samples results are included in the paper. The success of the program is reported in the number of participants graduated and the number that have gone on to graduate school. The participation by women and underrepresented minority students is also included. The CIRC graduate school participation is compared with national figures.
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