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Engineering Honors Program

About Goss Scholars

The Goss Scholars Learning Community is a year-long experience designed to foster a seamless academic transition and social adjustment for students as they enter college and begin exploring the applications and rewards of engineering as a profession. The Goss Scholars Learning Community seeks to build community among first-year engineering students who have demonstrated scholastic excellence and extend the depth of their academic experience. Goss Scholars are challenged in experiential first-year engineering design, and also benefit from personalized guidance from a network of support from academic advisors and peer mentors. The Goss Scholars Advantage is intentional programming that focuses on success factors, allowing students to thrive during their first year and in their future endeavors.

Live

Goss Scholars will reside together in Earhart Hall and the Honors College and Residences (Goss Scholars who were admitted to the Honors College will live in the HCR). Living in proximity to peers in Goss Scholars fosters a strong and supportive community in and outside of the classroom. It also promotes higher productivity and increased confidence in collaborative academic projects. Students will have the opportunity to participate in informal study groups and regularly engage in meaningful interactions with similar high-achieving, goal-oriented peers.   

Learn

Goss Scholars have the opportunity to enroll in the Goss Scholars Curriculum. This 2-semester engineering design sequence offers smaller class size, access to the learning community’s exclusive classroom lab facilities, committed faculty, and a focus on experiential learning. In addition to these classes, Goss Scholars will engage with upperclassmen and faculty during academic preparatory review sessions for engineering exams, computer programming, and other topics. 

Engage

Goss Scholars will also have ample opportunity to participate in socially-focused and recreational teambuilding events, which will provide balance to the academic focus of the learning community. Goss Scholars launch their first semester by mastering the Boiler Challenge Low Ropes course with their classmates. Additional events throughout the remainder of the first year include picnics, corn mazes, pumpkin decorating, game nights, movie nights, and ice skating, as well as small group activities with peer mentors.

Be Mentored

Goss Scholars will also benefit from personalized guidance from a large network of support:

  • Peer mentors, continuing students from the learning community who have completed FYE requirements and successfully transitioned to their engineering major, are paired with small groups of first-year Goss Scholars. Mentors meet frequently with first-year students in the classroom and in in non-academic activities, developing connections and enriching Goss Scholars’ transition to college by sharing their own experiences.

  • Dedicated academic advisors assist Goss Scholars in developing academic and individual goals, identifying academic and other resources, and clarifying FYE and university requirements throughout students’ first year and the Transition to Major process. The academic advisors regularly engage with Goss Scholars during learning community events and small group activities, as well as being available for individual appointments.

  • Goss Scholars will also participate in a series of major exploration events hosted by Engineering Ambassadors. These major exploration opportunities are hands on and provide students with a practical experience for each engineering discipline. Engineering Ambassadors also provide information on their majors, coursework, academic experience, internship opportunities and career prospects during engaging group discussions. These sessions seek to provide support as students identify the area of engineering that best fits their strengths and interests.

Lead 

Goss Scholars with an interest in leadership development have the opportunity to apply for a position on the Goss Scholars Leadership Council. The council is a small group of first-year students selected to foster community amongst peers, engagement in events, and communication between staff and fellow Goss Scholars. The council actively curates social media accounts, encourages student participation, provides feedback, develops events and disseminates information amongst the learning community. Ultimately, Leadership Council members help to shape the first-year experience for the Goss Scholars Learning Community. 

After Goss Scholars successfully transition to their engineering major, they have the opportunity to serve as a Peer Mentor for first-year Goss Scholars. Peer Mentors earn 1 credit hour in a seminar course each semester in which they serve as a Peer Mentor.  The seminar course, instructed by Goss Scholars academic advisors, focuses on developing mentoring relationships, identifying and accessing campus and academic resources, and guiding first-year students through the Goss Scholars experience.