Research-Oriented Learning Experiences (ROLE) program

The development of a Research-Oriented Learning Experiences (ROLE) program at New Mexico State University (NMSU) will provide Latino/a college students with the tools and knowledge required to succeed in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) majors in particular, and in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related degrees in general. ECE is a field of great relevance for our modern society, and where Latinx are commonly underrepresented. This project will encourage minorities, in particular Latina undergraduates to participate in high-impact research-oriented educational activities, where they will conduct research in collaboration with minority and/or Latinx graduate students and ECE faculty, leading to pathways to graduate programs. This project will also train Latinx graduate students to mentor a selected group of undergraduates, in order that they can strengthen and refine their mentoring and leadership skills, which are very useful in STEM-oriented academia and industry positions.