Pipeline Engineering Diversity Program

Funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), the Pipeline Engineering Diversity Program is designed to increase the number of African-American, Hispanic-American and Native-American students graduating with advanced degrees in engineering. Pipeline is comprised of pre-college programs, undergraduate mentoring and summer research opportunities and competitive graduate research assistantships geared toward preparing minority students to enter research-oriented careers.

To download a PDF version of the Pipeline Engineering Diversity Program brochure, click here.

The Undergraduate Component

Increasing the number of minority graduates in engineering begins with outreach programs designed to stimulate interest in engineering careers among middle and high school students. During one-week summer programs, middle and high school students participate in workshops designed to build skills in communication and teamwork, introduce them to career opportunities and help them understand how best to prepare themselves to major in engineering.

Once accepted into the College of Engineering, minority students attend the Summer Bridge Program. This two-week training session held before the start of the fall semester aids students in making the transition from high school to a university environment. During this session, students meet key college staff and faculty while working on projects related to courses they will encounter during their freshman year.

To enhance the learning experience, help clarify career interests and goals and stimulate interest in graduate study, paid Summer Research Opportunities are available to rising junior and senior undergraduate students. During a ten-week period during the summer, the student will receive a $400 weekly stipend while working on a project with a faculty mentor in a College of Engineering research laboratory. Participating students are asked to present their work at the annual Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement, a juried competition in which winners are awarded up to $450.

To apply for one of the Pipeline Undergraduate Summer Research Assistantships, download the application (MS Word format) and follow the enclosed instructions. Apllications will be reviewed as they are received.

The Graduate Component

Through competitive Graduate Research Assistantships, the Graduate Research Partnership Program focuses on recruiting and matching qualified minority graduate students with research programs within the College of Engineering. Pipeline Graduate Research Assistantships include a tuition waiver and an annual stipend of $24,000 for up to two years for the master's student and up to four years for the Ph.D. student.

Research opportunities are available at various College of Engineering labs and centers and at the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

To be considered for one of the Pipeline Graduate Research Assistant positions, download the application (MS Word format) and follow the enclosed instructions. Apllications will be reviewed as they are received.

Contact Information

Office of Engineering Diversity Programs
James Pippin, Director
204 Estabrook Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996-2360
Phone: (865) 974-1931
Fax: (865) 974-0669
E-mail: jpippin@utk.edu