NIU's Engineering Accelerator helps students make transition

This year, the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET) launched its Engineering Accelerator — a holistic, four-day program offered at no cost to help prepare freshmen for their Huskie experience.

The session, exclusively for those who are majoring in engineering, focused on reinforcing students’ prior knowledge of mathematical principles and extended into practical introductions of calculus and linear algebra. In addition, the accelerator had team-building activities that engaged students in robotics and electrical engineering.

Across the country, many engineering schools face the challenge of supporting students as they bridge the gap from their high school experience to the more rigorous curriculum they will encounter in colleges and universities.

Mindful that about half of NIU students are the first in their families to enroll in college, CEET Dean Dave Grewell has made the Engineering Accelerator a top priority.

“It’s crucial for any student to get started right by building a strong foundation of academic readiness,” Grewell said. “Our Engineering Accelerator provided that while also giving them plenty of rich opportunities to forge social connections and become familiar with the many resources on campus before they attended their first class this week.”

Nearly 30 Huskies, most of whom are first-generation college students, participated in the sessions, which were provided at no cost during the Week of Welcome in August, before the semester began. Faculty from multiple college disciplines contributed to the classroom and laboratory experiences: Justin Cathey from Electrical Engineering, Peter Lin from Mechatronics, Kevin Martin from Engineering Technology and Nick Pohlman from Mechanical Engineering.

In a survey completed after the program concluded, a recurring theme among students was the Engineering Accelerator's value in helping them prepare for the coming year.

The four days included:

Orientation Sessions

-Helping students get acquainted with college-level coursework structure and expectations.

-Introducing students to campus resources like our writing program, library and more to aid their academic journey.

Academic Workshops

-Covering essential skills such as time management, study strategies and effective communication.

-Sharing effective note-taking techniques to maximize learning outcomes.

Math Enrichment Sessions

-Strengthening foundational math concepts and preparing for college-level math courses.

-Diving deeper into mathematical concepts with connection to engineering applications.

Hands-on Projects

-Applying engineering and technology principles through engaging, hands-on projects, including programming robots and building and testing an ultrasonic distance sensor.

-Open discussions on an array of industry cases studies to give students experience with real-world problems.

-Fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills vital for success in engineering fields.

Group Discussions and Reflections

-Reflecting on academic and career goals in supportive group discussions.
-Identifying challenges and develop strategies for academic and personal growth.

Social and Community-Building Activities

-Fostering a sense of community and belonging through social events and team-building activities.

-Giving back to the community through meaningful service projects.

The Accelerator events were integrated into the broader NIU-wide Week of Welcome activities.

Mark Pietrowski, director of CEET’s Central Advising Office, was among those who provided guidance during the sessions.

“Getting off to a great start makes an enormous difference, not only for a student’s college experience, but as a predictor of success beyond graduation,” Pietrowski said. “We are excited about the impact this program can have on the trajectory of incoming students’ lives.”

The NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET) provides affordable access to a world-class engineering education. Our fully accredited programs emphasize hands-on experience, with small classes taught by experienced, dedicated faculty that help a diverse array of students explore and ignite their passions in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Learn more by visiting our website.