More Than 700 Students Declare Engineering Majors During Decision Week
The College of Engineering held its “Decision Week” Feb. 26-28, including four sessions at which more than 700 first-year engineering students selected their intended discipline among 10 possible degree programs.
Mechanical engineering drew the most students, 222, about 31 percent of the total. The combined disciplines of computer science and computer engineering attracted 129 students, or about 18 percent.
The tradition began as “Decision Day” in 2008 along with the First-Year Engineering Program, which is designed to help first-year students build a solid foundation for their engineering education. The college created intentional components in first-year engineering courses, so students can make an informed decision about their major.
During Decision Week, the college asks first-year students to gather in assemblies where they officially join their departments, and faculty, staff and upperclassmen shower them with cheers, swag and snacks.
“Choosing a major within engineering is a significant and important milestone, which is part of why we celebrate this decision in the way that we do,” said Dean Kim Needy. “As these students further explore their chosen disciplines, we are here to support, inspire and challenge them to drive progress and make a real impact on the world.”
FINAL TOTALS
The 2025 totals, by program of study, were:
Biological Engineering, 24 | Biomedical Engineering, 64 | Chemical Engineering, 77 | Civil Engineering, 95
Computer Engineering, 35 | Computer Science (B.A.), 6 | Computer Science (B.S.), 88
Electrical Engineering, 49 | Industrial Engineering, 53 | Mechanical Engineering, 222
Total: 713
(L-R) Abhinav Komanduri, Jared Noel, Ian Popp
Komanduri, a junior honors electrical engineering major minoring in mathematics, intends to earn a Ph.D. focused on embedded systems and cybersecurity.
Popp, a junior honors chemical engineering major with a dual degree in finance, plans to obtain a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, with research focused on gene regulation and tissue engineering to treat degenerative diseases.
U of A Honors College Announces 2025 Bodenhamer Fellows
The Bodenhamer Fellowship is one of the most prestigious scholarships the university offers to undergraduates, awarding each student up to $80,000 over the four-year course of their education.
The fellowship largely covers tuition, fees, books, room and board and other academic expenses, providing students with the freedom to pursue original research, study abroad, service learning and academic interests.
Pictured top left: Miles Batson – Farmington – Engineering and Mackenzie Settlage – Fort Smith – Biological Engineering
Pictured bottom left: Sylvia Smith – Fayetteville – Chemical Engineering and Payton Woodruff – Bentonville – Data Science