Research, Academics and Mentoring Pathways (RAMP)
A summer program for new engineering students
The future for engineers is both exciting and challenging. Exciting for all of the emerging technologies that will require engineering knowledge and challenging due to the diverse set of skills that future graduates will need to acquire to participate and contribute at the cutting edge of technological development.
The Francis College of Engineering at UMass Lowell will prepare you with the basic technical knowledge for your major. But along the way you will also need to be prepared with other skills to be successful in the global and interdisciplinary nature of the future engineering environment ("The Rise of Interdisciplinary Engineering Skills").
Some of these skills include being able to communicate and work with people outside your field, solve unstructured real-world problems, analyze data, use a computer effectively and most importantly asking the right questions ("5 Skills Hiring Managers Look for in Engineering Grads"). Not all of these can be taught in a classroom. But there are numerous opportunities on and off-campus where you can begin to develop many of these strengths.
The Research, Academics and Mentoring Pathways (RAMP) program is designed to introduce you to a community of your peers, graduate students, staff, faculty, administrators and professionals from industry who can help you design early-on, a pathway to successful graduation that also includes a profile of extracurricular activities such as research experience, entrepreneurship and community engagement. These accomplishments during your undergraduate program will not only increase your competitiveness for prestigious national fellowships for graduate study but also help identify your strengths and give you a better perspective on what you want to accomplish as a professional.
RAMP is particularly focused on diversifying the engineering population with a more even representation that includes women, racial and ethnic minorities. Only then, can the societal needs of the diverse population of this nation and the world be adequately addressed. Studies have identified several potential barriers that may be factors that limit the entry and retention of females and minorities in engineering programs. RAMP will engage participants in workshops, hands-on projects, panel discussions and visits to industries so as to gain insight on ways to overcome these barriers and begin to build a pathway and a profile that not only leverages your strengths but gives you opportunities to identify any weaknesses that may limit your academic performance. With the support of faculty mentors and a support network you will learn through this program how to seek out the right resources on campus and emerge as leaders.
Join us and become part of this movement to increase the representation of women and minorities in engineering. Send us a message on the RAMP opt-in online form to get to the next step!