Student Success Programs

Building Pathways

Enrich your college experience by Building Pathways to people and opportunities in civil and architectural engineering. Building Pathways is a program designed with students at the center. It is part of the ENGAGED initiative within the College of Engineering that focuses on promising students who are underrepresented in engineering, including those who are the first in their families to attend college, are from low-income households, or are from underrepresented groups in engineering such as women or minorities. While the ENGAGED initiative includes students from all engineering disciplines, Building Pathways is designed for students interested in civil and architectural engineering.

As a Building Pathways participant, you will have the opportunity to join the Catapult First Year Experience and/or the Summer TRACK programs within ENGAGED. Other activities in and out of the classroom will help you succeed in your courses and grow in your understanding of the engineering profession.

Building Pathways to the Catapult First-Year Experience

While in Building Pathways, you may participate in the Catapult First Year Experience where you will immediately connect with the Wildcat Engineering community through linked courses, peer mentors, and exclusive opportunities to meet faculty and preview careers.

Linked Courses: Depending on math placement, you will take 2-4 courses together with a small group of peers during the fall semester of your first year. Linked courses include engineering, math, chemistry, and success/transition courses specifically designed for Building Pathways students in the Catapult experience.
Peer Mentors: Meet with experienced engineering students during your first year in engineering. Your peer mentors are successful in the civil and architectural engineering programs and will help guide you to your success. Peer mentors help you connect with clubs, academic support, and the #ENGRCat community – through both social and educational opportunities.
Faculty Interaction: From shared meals to exclusive lab tours, Building Pathways events with professors help you develop relationships with Arizona’s top educators and researchers early in your career.

"I liked getting advice about the professional industry and hearing someone's perspective on my future plans who already has work experience."

Building Pathways to Summer TRACK

Within Summer TRACK (Teaching Research and Career Knowledge), you will take summer courses to begin your second year “on track” in the engineering curriculum. You can complete Introductory Mechanics (PHYS 141) and Calculus II (MATH 129) together with a small group of peers, just like in Catapult. You will also take a Career Development course together to learn about professional competencies while previewing career opportunities in civil and architectural engineering. The Building Pathways segment of Summer TRACK showcases careers in design, construction, utilities, and sustainable engineering practices.

"I enjoyed visiting the project she was working on and I enjoyed building a relationship with her as well."

Building Pathways through the Sophomore Year

As a sophomore in the Building Pathways program, you will enjoy many of the same benefits as you experienced in the first year, most notably linked courses in statics, fluid mechanics, and mechanics of solids.

Building Pathways with Career & Faculty Mentors

In addition to the peer mentor offered in the first year, you’ll also have access to faculty and industry mentors. Faculty and practitioners can share helpful advice and insight into how to build the career you want and get the most out of your engineering classes and outside-of-class experiences.

"What I liked most about having a mentor this year is the connection it gave me into the industry. My mentor gave me a lot of helpful advice and I strongly believe she is the main reason I got my internship."

Pathways to Your Career

You will have the opportunity to gain paid experience in civil engineering and construction as an intern either during the summer, the academic year, or in some cases, both. Students who participate in more Pathway activities listed above will be given preference in internship placements.

Building Pathways is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI).

Meet the Team

Kevin Lansey

Civil Engineering Faculty
lansey@arizona.edu
520.621.4537
CE 206C

Dean Papajohn

Civil Engineering Faculty
dpapajohn@arizona.edu
520.621.1713
CE 214B

Noel Hennessey

ENGAGED Director
nhennessey@arizona.edu
520.626.3990
ENGR 356J

Tyler Le Peau

Student Support Coordinator
tylerlepeau@arizona.edu
520.621.4366
ECE 356K

Publications and Presentations

Hennessey, N., Le Peau, T. (2024, March 18). Building Pathways to Stronger Sense of Belonging, Engineering Identity for Students at HSIs [Conference presentation]. AHSIE 16th Annual Best Practices Conference, Monterey, CA, United States. 
Hennessey, N., (2024, June 23-26). “Fail a little, succeed a lot”: How experiential learning influenced civil engineering students’ approach to coursework. [Conference paper abstract]. 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. Portland, OR, United States. 
Hennessey, N., Le Peau, T. (2024, November 5). Where are my keys? Unlocking Belonging in Engineering Education [Conference presentation]. The University of Arizona Global Campus 2024 Teaching and Learning Conference, virtual.

Women in STEM see bright future with Building Pathways

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