Closing the Gap: Engineering in the AUC

Written By: Elainey Bass

In 1929, the AUCC (Atlanta University Center Consortium) was formed as a non-profit corporation under the state of Georgia. There are four major institutions that are apart of this community: Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse School of Medicine. Forty years later after this esteemed junction, all four institutions entered into an agreement with Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and a dual degree option in engineering was created. For more than fifty years, students attending these HBCUs have had the opportunity to delve into the world of science and technology; a space where African American representation is almost nonexistent. However, because of programs like this, this gap is diminishing and more Black students are choosing to take over this field.

The extra special part about the dual degree engineering program, also referred to as DDEP, is that it gives students the chance to learn from other institutions that are very prestigious when it comes to engineering. Auburn University, North Carolina A&T, University of Notre Dame, and many others are included in this partnership. Aside from the schools, this program also houses an AUC chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), This society brings many students from this program together that plan to make major strides in the engineering business by providing a way for them to learn from each other and other industry professionals they may meet through the society.

Since this program only accepts the best, the DDEP also hosts their Summer Bridge program just for the students. The summer program is six-week summer intensive that aims to prepare the students for the rigorous coursework that the program requires.While it is technically a summer school with courses that pertain to mathematics and science, it is very selective and only gives 24 students this opportunity. Besides the coursework, students are also able to meet industry professionals and attend industry tours of different engineering companies in the city of Atlanta.

Throughout the students matriculation of the program, they will also have the opportunity to be recruited by Fortune 500 companies and other agencies for potential internships and full-time opportunities post-graduation. Scholarships are also awarded to students that maintain a certain criteria (GPA, academic performance, etc.)

The Dual Degree Engineering Program breeds greatness. The alumni that come out of the program hold valuable positions in various companies. For example, Kevin Carpenter, the Chief Supply Chain Officer for the Toro Company, is a product of this program. He holds a Bachelors in Engineering from both Morehouse College and Georgia Tech and continues to give back to the program by being a board member.

For more information on this program, visit https://aucenter.edu/ddep-2/