CASECS: Center for Academic Support in Engineering and Computer Science
CASECS Mission Statment
The Center for Academic Support in Engineering and Computer Science (CASECS) is an academic support program designed to recruit, retain and graduate students. CASECS serves educationally disadvantage students, to the extent possible by law and emphasizes participation by students from groups with low eligibility rates for four-year colleges. CASECS is a program of Student Academic Services in the Division of Students Affairs with joint collaboration of the College of Engineering & Computer Science and Student Affairs.
Objectives:
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Increase Enrollment & Retention |
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Increase Industry Tours |
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Increase Scholarships |
What CASECS Does
Some of the features of the program include: |
Building a support community among students with similar career goals. |
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Constructing the bridges necessary to establish a mentor-protégé relationship between faculty and students |
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Expecting excellent performance by students |
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Effectively communicating support for the students' success at the University and in the selected profession. |
The program has ten specific service components designed to support students' successful pursuit of an academic program and their achievement of a timely graduation, as well as to assist them with their personal concerns. These service components include:
| 1. Admission and Matriculation |
| Upon application for admission to the campus, the program begins supporting the prospective student . At Fall orientation, just prior to the beginning of classes, the student is given details about the program and its elements, has the opportunity to learn from continuing students the particular logistics necessary for success on campus, experiences the community of support, sees industry's interest in his/her success, and talks with committed faculty and staff. |
| 2. Orientation Course |
| The CASECS orientation course enables the new student to quickly become a part of the CASECS community. The student learns study techniques for technical courses, receives guidance in dealing with the campus administrative procedures, clarifies career goals, engages in engineering problem-solving guided by engineering faculty, ascertains from industry representatives how to seek the best career opportunities, and obtains summer and/or part-time employment information. |
| 3. Study Center |
| Students meet in the CASECS Study Center where they work with fellow students, network, tutor and are tutored, use the computer, learn about scholarships and job opportunities, exchange information about professional clubs, and/or relax between classes. |
| 4. Tutoring |
| Tutoring in lower-division technical courses helps students before potential academic difficulties arise. Tutoring by advanced students is provided in the CASECS Study Center on a walk-in basis. |
| 5. Academic Counseling |
| Appropriate advising is critical to student success. CASECS students have designated faculty in the computer science and engineering departments to advise them, as well as an CASECS counselor. |
| 6. Student Organizations |
| CASECS students are involved in student chapters of many college organizations, such as the Society of Mexican American Engineers & Scientists (MAES), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). |
| 7. Scholarships and Incentive Grants |
| Even with state support for each student's program of study, educational costs can be significant. As much as $30,000 of industry-supplied grants has been awarded to CASECS students in past years. |
| 8. Summer Jobs and Part-time Work |
| Industry representatives and the CASECS Industry Advisory Board work closely with CASECS staff to maximize opportunities for employment both during and upon completion of each student's academic career. |
| 9. Professional Development |
| Opportunities to clarify goals and develop professionally are provided in a variety of ways. Literally from the first day on campus until graduation, the student has a continuous series of opportunities to learn directly from industry's expectations for entry-level positions. The student also learns about the benefits of advanced studies and may choose to pursue graduate work on a full or part-time basis. |
| 10. ECS Support |
The CASECS program is supported by the College of Engineering & Computer Science, and Student Academic Services a division of Student Affairs. |
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| Contact | |
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Sergio Guerra |
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Elizabeth Gomez |