NSF Workshop on Improving Domestic Student Participation in Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Programs

University Conference Center – Knoxville, TN
October 26-27, 2009

For the past three decades, graduate students in most science and engineering disciplines have been predominantly comprised of foreign nationals. There are many factors that have historically contributed to this reality, some of which are cultural and others driven by market conditions. The field of electrical and computer engineering (ECE), in particular, has undergone substantial changes during this period. Consequently, it has become important to address the demographics of professionals in ECE related fields, as means of understanding what future trends may hold and what national resources are expected to be available. Specifically, increasing the enrollment and retention of domestic students in graduate programs pertaining to electrical engineering, computer engineering and related disciplines, is perceived a national priority. It is directly linked with critical national goals, including creation of new jobs, improvement of the quantity and quality of the technical workforce, and contributing to the robustness of the US economy in a growing global technology-driven marketplace. Thus, the outcomes of this workshop are expected to play an important role in refining future NSF solicitations that support the above-mentioned national agenda.

The goal of this two-day workshop will be to assemble department heads and chairs from a broad range of ECE Ph.D. granting institutions across the nation, to an open discussion on potential avenues of promoting the important common goal of increasing domestic graduate student enrollment and retention. The decision to invite department heads and chairs is driven by the desire to obtain feedback, and target the discussions, directly toward policy makers. Embarking with a focus on ECE is suggested as means of limiting the effort such that any recommendations and conclusions can be disseminated to other science and engineering disciplines. The expected outcome of the workshop is a report detailing all discussions held as well as suggestions for future directions to help sustain interest and momentum generated from the workshop. Moreover, the report will include recommendations for further research and data collection that would provide a research-based justification for graduate program revisions.

The City of Knoxville is located in the heart of East Tennessee, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and livable areas in the United States. Home to the University of Tennessee, the World’s Fair Park and minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains. Downtown Knoxville features convenient hotels, unique restaurants, eclectic shopping and nighttime entertainment. Enjoy all Knoxville has to offer all within minutes of the UT Conference Center, where the workshop will be held.