EMPOWER provides full-tuition scholarships, special enrichment activities and focused academic support which should allow students to better focus on their studies, according to Rhonda Gaede, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at UAHuntsville.

“The first priority of this program is to provide qualified engineering students with full-tuition scholarships,” Gaede said. “Data shows full-time students perform better in the classroom and laboratories and progress towards graduation at a quicker pace.”

She said EMPOWER students are also engaged in special social activities and can attend presentations on time management skills and acclimating to college life.

Gaede said the program also provides more focused faculty attention, including peer mentoring, tutoring, mathematics review and group study opportunities. “This support will give the EMPOWER students the opportunity to do their best work while making good progress towards graduation,” she said.

Because UAHuntsville is located minutes away from Cummings Research Park and Redstone Arsenal, EMPOWER students have the opportunity to tour research labs and attend presentations given by industry and government engineers.

This close proximity to government and corporate employers also provides opportunities for cooperative education, Gaede said. These students can earn up to $9,000 a year in salaries while getting hands-on learning experience.