In the fall of 2011, the number of new freshmen enrolling in the College of Engineering increased by 30.3 percent, from 532 in 2010 to 693 in 2011. This continues a trend: since 2005, new freshmen enrollment in the college has increased by 85 percent. In addition, the number of engineering students transferring to the University of Arkansas has increased by 57 percent over the past six years. These factors, along with an increase in graduate student enrollment, have led to a 12.9 percent increase in total enrollment growth over the previous year, the largest percentage increase at the university.

Dean Ashok Saxena attributes these increases to efforts by the college’s recruitment office, and to programs such as the Engineering Career Awareness Program. He also credits transfer agreements with other schools, which ease the way for talented engineering students to come to the University of Arkansas. Once they are here, College of Engineering students benefit from programs like the Freshman Engineering Program, which provides provides academic and social support.

“It’s been a pleasure to see our hallways and classes filled with these talented young people,” said Saxena. “They are so important to the future of our country, and we are working hard to challenge them, as well as providing the support and guidance they need.”