Thirteen female freshmen participated in the Early Engineering Advantage Program in August.
By Keith Pierce
Continental Automotive, Sumitomo, Clark Nexsen, Century Concrete, Huntington Ingalls Industries and NASA were among the organizations that provided real-life experiences for 13 female freshmen recently as part of the Early Engineering Advantage Program (EEAP). From intense instruction, engineering site visits, group projects and presentations, the two-week residential program is designed to provide incoming female freshmen majoring in engineering with an early advantage before starting fall classes.
"In addition to giving them a head start in a male-dominated major, we want to create a sense of community among this group of young women that will allow them to grow together and become a resource to one another throughout their four years at the college," said Rafael Landaeta, associate dean of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology.
Funded for admitted students by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, Norfolk Southern, Continental Automotive and other sponsors, EEAP takes place annually in early August.
"What I loved most was being able to understand all the other disciplines and how they connect in ways you wouldn't imagine," said Zhenja Lourenco, a mechanical engineering freshman from Virginia Beach.
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