Mentoring

Abstract

The makeup of the engineering profession does not reflect the demographics of the general population. A contributing factor may be that students from underrepresented groups will rarely see faculty members during their undergraduate careers who are women or members of minority groups. With demand for civil engineers high, but enrollment in civil engineering programs shrinking, civil engineering departments will have to appeal to a broader audience in order to grow. With this in mind, the acquisition and retention of women and minority faculty have become important goals to college administrators. With no experience to draw on in making decisions and formulating policy, however, problems are bound to arise. Mentoring may be part of the solution.