Dean's Funding Initiatives
STUDENT SUPPORT
Dean's Scholars Program
The ECS Dean's Scholars Program is a funding initiative led by alumni and donors, with support from the National Science Foundation and ECS Board of Advocates. The goal of the program is to provide a path for high-achieving, high-need students to pursue a major in Baylor's School of Engineering and Computer Science. Award amounts range from $4,500-$12,500 per academic year, based on an evaluation of the student’s merit and need. Students in the program participate in monthly workshops to sharpen their skills in leadership, communication, financial literacy, networking, career exploration, and more.
During their four years in the program, students will serve as a mentor and receive mentoring, both of which have proven to be impactful aspects of a student's collegiate journey. Scholars are mentored by an upperclassmen in the program for their freshman and sophomore years and then assigned a professional mentor in the engineering/computer science industry for their junior and senior years.
We currently have 15 incredible students in the Dean's Scholars Program. Check out what one of our students has to say about her participation in the program!
Sophia Grace - Mechanical Engineering (Fort Worth, TX)
The Dean's Scholars Program has been able to connect me with faculty within the School of ECS and other like-minded students around me. I feel like I have a supportive group within the program I can turn to if I need help, and it's made me feel very reassured about my place in ECS!
Receiving this scholarship has definitely helped me in paying for tuition, and in turn has let me focus on studying for my classes and participating in extracurriculars like being a Teaching Fellow or doing undergraduate research. Having this aid has been such a blessing, and I can see how I've been able to thrive as a student because of it.
I was already planning on pursuing a Master's degree in mechanical engineering after graduation, but I can see this experience impacting which field I choose to pursue in my career. I have a few industries I think are interesting, and the Dean's Scholars Program has been able to connect me with people working in those specific areas. I'm sure that the more I talk to them and learn about my possible career paths, the more confident I'll be in my decision!
Scholarships
Many companies hire students based on their student organization participation. Being involved in a student organization gives students leadership, project management and team collaboration experience.
Few investments more directly impact the life of a Baylor Engineering and Computer Science student than a scholarship. For many, it's a determining factor in their decision to come to Baylor. Scholarships touch students' lives in a powerful and personal way - for many, it is the only way they can access a Baylor education. Our students fill the gap between their unmet financial needs and their access to Baylor through federal student loans, personal loans, or through out-of-pocket resources.
FACULTY SUPPORT
Strategic Growth
In order to expand the depth and breadth of the School of Engineering and Computer Science's teaching and academic inquiry, Dean Pack and his faculty have identified the following priority areas for strategic growth:
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
- Biomedical Engineering
- Sustainable Energy
- Healthy Aging
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
- Wireless Technology
- Cyber Physical Systems
COMPUTER SCIENCE
- Bioinformatics
- Cybersecurity
The School is seeking to grow its resources and faculty support through the establishment of endowed faculty positions and programmatic support in order to recruit faculty leaders for its departments who will grow its programs and help the School remain relevant and forward-focused.
Postdoctoral Fellowships and Research Funds
In response to the goals of Baylor in Deeds, Dean Pack has charged faculty members with increasing their efforts in scientific discovery. Research is the engine that drives compelling and current instruction in the classrooms, discovery in the laboratory and publications within scientific journals that elevate the prestige and national profile of the School. In order to make these advances through research, the School must secure funding for postdoctoral fellowships and research funds, providing the capacity for faculty to conduct research while still investing in students in the classroom.
If you're interested in investing in faculty or fellowships, contact Dr. John Fray at John_Fray@baylor.edu.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
Humanitarian Engineering and Outreach
As a Christian institution, Baylor attracts mission-minded students who are eager to make a difference and who look to the institution to help equip them with the skills necessary to make an impact. The School of Engineering and Computer Science has responded to such student interest by creating the Humanitarian Engineering concentration, which continues to draw students to the School. In order to better equip our students, as well as to meet the demand for this area of study, the School is seeking funding for faculty positions to grow the concentration into the program. The School is also seeking further funding to increase the number of students able to participate in discipline-specific mission trips, as well as funding for community outreach projects.
Living Water to Share
Baylor engineering students have begun the journey of designing clean water systems using locally sourced materials for a community in Kenya and beyond.
GIVE TO ENGINEERS WITH A MISSION
Design Experience
The emphasis on experiential learning for Engineering and Computer Science students continues to grow. From laboratory coursework to the Senior Capstone Design Project, students' access to hands-on projects that provide space for mistakes and reflective learning helps them to synthesize the many elements of their coursework derived from lectures and textbooks.
Design Experience Funds will allow Baylor Engineering and Computer Science to engage with experts in specialized fields to provide constructive feedback and concept evaluation of relevant Capstone Projects.
Baylor engineering students partner with TSTC to build wheelchair-accessible swing
In the small town of Axtell (just northeast of Waco) lies a quaint community park. Here, families can gather, children can play, and now — thanks to a partnership between Baylor’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Texas State Technical College — kids with physical disabilities can fully enjoy the space, as well.
EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES SUPPORT
Creating endowment and equipment funds for the Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering will allow faculty to keep current with industry standards and remain relevant.
GIVE TO THE LABORATORY EQUIPMENT FUND
Learn more at give.web.baylor.edu .
Contact our ECS Gift Officer
Every gift is important. Every gift makes a difference.
We are grateful for all of the creative ways you choose to give!
For questions, please contact:
Dr. John Fray, Senior Director of Development
John_Fray@baylor.edu
or
Nick Herring, Assistant Director of Development
Nick_Herring@baylor.edu
254.391.7827