Atlanta University Center Consortium

IDEA Aims To Enhance Dual Degree Engineering Education

The mission of IDEA is to increase the number of dual-degree engineering program graduates, in the AUC and nationally, that are prepared for engineering careers, resilient with high engineering identity, and impactful on society and their community.

OUR MISSION

Atlanta University Center Consortium

The mission of the Atlanta University Center Consortium is to promote collaboration and involvement among our campuses, residents, and other stakeholders in enhancing the quality of life within the neighboring community. The Consortium seeks to leverage the resources of the community and member institutions to maximize opportunities for citizens to live, learn, work, and play.

The mission of IDEA is to increase the number of dual degree engineering program graduates from the AUC and nationally, equipping them for successful engineering careers, fostering strong engineering identities, and empowering them to make a positive impact on society and their communities.

Engineering identity is the ability to view oneself as an engineer and has been linked to the academic and professional persistence of Black students. The institute will assess outcomes to ensure best practices and continual improvement.

WHO WE ARE

Facilitating Pathways To Engineering Through DDEP

The Atlanta University Center Consortium, Inc. has facilitated pathways to engineering for its member institutions through its Dual Degree Engineering Program (DDEP) since 1969.

In 1969, the historically Black colleges forming the AUC entered an agreement with Georgia Institute of Technology Dual Degree in Engineering. At the start of the partnership with GA Tech, Blacks represented less than 1 percent of engineers in the American workforce. This unique partnership was formed to build academic centers of excellence for Black students to increase the number of minorities in science and technology.

AUCC Founded in

AUCC Foundational Values

To advance our member institutions’ strategic priorities and goals
To promote collaboration with and among our member institutions, surrounding neighborhoods, external partners and other stakeholders
To demonstrate a student-centered philosophy
To serve and advocate for community
To honor our heritage and promote diversity
To operate with integrity and excellence

Positivity

Positivity or the reinforcement of confidence and positive self-image. It is the responsibility to be a healthy and well-adjusted person.

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Engagement

Engagement or the action associated with caring for others. It is the responsibility to be service-focused and empathetic.

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Oneness

Oneness or the pursuit of community, support, and agreement. It is the responsibility to leverage the village of individuals that can help.

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Professional responsibility

Professional responsibility or the need to uplift the engineering profession and standards. It is the need to be ethical and effective.

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Leadership

Leadership or the art of making others better. It is the responsibility and skills to inspire the best work and commitment from others.

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Excellence

Excellence or the drive to exceed expectations. It is the responsibility to understand one’s gifts and use them to inspire others to exceed expectations.

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Taught students annually

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Engineering and computing faculty

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Dual degree implementing schools

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Students graduated

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Adding Value To The AUC & Dual Degree Engineering Efforts

To add value to the AUC and dual-degree engineering efforts, the AUCC has made the following initiatives:

In 2018

The AUCC began strengthening industry relationships and the promotion of internship and scholarship opportunities which led to over a million dollars in scholarships awarded to students last year.

In 2018

In 2019

The AUCC created a summer bridge program that is inter-institutional. This program has served over 50 students and plans to begin with its third cohort in the summer of 2023.

In 2019

In 2021

The AUCC expanded its engineering partnerships and developed plans for new BS/MS pathways in collaboration with Georgia Tech and Michigan.

In 2021

In 2022

The Consortium hired a new assistant director with engineering education expertise and announced the Institute for Dual Degree Engineering Advancement (IDEA) to focus both on operations and advancement of dual degree engineering best practices.

In 2022

In 2019

The AUCC began strengthening industry relationships and promoting internship and scholarship opportunities, leading to over a million dollars in scholarships awarded to students last year, led by Program Manager Dr. Christopher Ellis.

In 2019

The AUCC created a summer bridge program serving Clark Atlanta, Morehouse College and Spelman College. This program has served 144 students as of 2024.

In 2019

In 2021

The AUCC expanded its engineering partnerships and developed plans for new BS/MS pathways in collaboration with Georgia Tech, the University of Michigan.

In 2021

In 2022

A $1.5 million investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, the Atlanta University Center Consortium expands its efforts to increase the number of minority engineers by creating the Institute for Dual Degree Engineering Advancement (IDEA).

In 2022

In 2024

The AUCC continues to expanded its engineering partnerships and developed plans for BS/MS pathways in collaboration with Purdue University.

In 2024

Former Dual Degree Engineering Program Manager and Interim Assistant Director for Enginering Innovation, Dr. Christopher Ellis named Director of IDEA.

In 2024

Project Case Study

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In my current role as the Assistant Director for Engineering Innovation at the AUCC and Director of The Institute for Dual Degree Engineering Advancement (IDEA) I often receive the question “Why study liberal arts?” As a product of the Dual Degree Engineering Program I too once grappled with this question as an 18-year-old college student. The expansiveness of the liberal arts education is what drew me in as I enrolled in the AUC as a wide-eyed and eager first year student. I wanted a college experience that invested in me as a whole person. Courses in Black history, foreign language, humanities, comparative politics, social science, and fine arts rounded out my in-depth exposure to science and technology. As I reflect today, I am reminded of the quote by Albert Einstein

The value of an education in a liberal arts college is not learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think something that cannot be learned from textbooks...