ICE-TI: Project to Initiate the Doctorate in Electrical Engineering

A goal of the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) is to increase the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instructional and research capacities of specific institutions of higher education that serve the nation's Indigenous students. Expanding the STEM curricular offerings at these institutions expands their students' opportunities to pursue challenging, rewarding careers in STEM fields, provides for research studies in areas that may be locally significant and encourages a community and generational appreciation for science and mathematics education. The sustainability of capacity gains is significantly enhanced by retaining the talent of credentialed STEM faculty. This project aligns directly with that goal. Navajo Technical University (NTU) is transforming its STEM programs and the landscape of TCU post-graduate opportunities by developing and offering a PhD degree in engineering with concentrations in electrical and industrial engineering. This is the first PhD program in engineering at a TCU. The activities of this project are to design and offer a terminal degree in engineering, accompanied by the engagement of faculty who are qualified to lead PhD candidates in research that can foster energy security and independence. In addition to preparing engineers for the technical workforce, this project provides students a pathway to complete graduate education, and may open more career options in STEM. Provision of a locally accessible terminal degree will attract more engineering graduates to pursue higher degrees. At the same time, students will become prepared for postdoctoral and faculty positions in engineering programs of study. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2530679 | Program: 04002627DB NSF STEM Education,04002930DB NSF Education & Human Resource | Principal Investigator: Peter Romine | Institution: Navajo Technical University, CROWNPOINT, NM | Award Amount: $2,000,000 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2530679 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2530679.html