Engineering Diversity Programs include both outreach programs and the Diversity Engineering Scholarship Program. In 1973 the College of Engineering established the Minority Engineering Scholarship Program, which had an initial class of 17 students. Fred D. Brown, its first director, led the program from 1975 to 1985. It graduated its first students (seven) in spring 1977. The program received over $1 million annually from 30 firms, which supported it and was designed essentially as a scholarship program that incorporated the co-op program into its schedule. In 1999 the program was renamed the Engineering Diversity Scholarship Program and was incorporated into the Office of Cooperative Engineering and Professional Practice.
The college’s minority outreach programs were renamed Engineering Diversity Programs and incorporated precollege summer programs for middle and high school students, bridge programs for new freshmen, recruiting initiatives targeted to potential underrepresented students, and retention and mentoring programs. The focus of the diversity programs was broadened to include Hispanic, Native American, and female prospective and current students, as well as African Americans.