Student enrollment at the University of Houston Cullen College Engineering rose 8 percent from last year’s fall semester, according to a final enrollment report.
Close to 216 more student’s filled seats at the college for an overall head count of 2,781. This growth was consistent across the college’s six departments.
“This rise is due, at least in part, to our continuing emphasis on recruiting in high schools and community colleges,” said Dave Shattuck, associate dean for undergraduate programs. “Some of it is likely due to issues with the economy, but it also reflects the strong demand for engineers that has been present for some time. This growth is good for the college, since we want to have appropriate growth in our engineering programs.”
Recruiting and retaining more students is among Cullen College Dean and Elizabeth D. Rockwell Endowed Chair Joseph Tedesco’s critical initiatives outlined in a 18-page strategic plan, which serves as a guideline intended to help boost the college’s status by securing a spot as a nationally ranked, top 50 program.
The college has set out to help achieve this initiative in a variety of ways. This has included adding several programs, expanding degree options and creating project-based courses that engage students in engineering subject matter earlier.
“Aggressive recruiting at both the graduate and undergraduate levels is key to our growth,” said Tedesco. “Our enrollment numbers certainly reflect our strategic recruiting efforts and we expect to see these numbers continue to rise.”
Other Enrollment Statistics Include:
- Though graduate enrollment increased by 10 percent from last fall, it has soared 23 percent from the year previous.
- Electrical engineering was the most sought after graduate degree, with roughly 246 enrolled. It’s an increase of 13 percent over last fall.
- The total undergraduate class is at 1,988, an 8 percent increase from last year and a 17 percent rise from fall 2007.
- More undergraduate students enrolled in mechanical engineering than any other program. The next most popular was chemical followed by electrical, civil, biomedical, computer, industrial and the new petroleum engineering program. Among these, mechanical saw the most growth—up 12 percent from last fall.