Connect | Lead | Inspire | Mentor | Belong

Sponsored by Marathon, the Pre First-year Academic and Career Engagement (PREFACE) Program is a multi-level program designed to develop our pre-first-year students into high-performing students who are confident, efficient, and results-driven engineers through a holistic approach toward academic and professional success in the engineering environment at The Ohio State University College of Engineering and beyond. More importantly, we want our PREFACE participants to learn life skills and pay it forward by becoming productive citizens. In order to help build community and development for Buckeye engineers to strive towards excellence, LEAP (Learning Community for Engineers, Architects and Planners) is our residential hall for all incoming PREFACE participants.

Learn more about PREFACE

We understand that choosing a specific engineering major can be daunting, especially when there are so many exciting paths to explore. If you are unsure about which engineering major to choose and are open to learning new things, this program is for you. 

The Exploring Engineering Pathways program offers a unique first-year experience that combines classroom learning and industry engagement, allowing students to feel well-informed and confident as they enter engineering.  Students are enrolled in a specially formatted engineering survey course (ENGR 1100) that includes experiential learning, field trips to industry partners, and networking with engineering faculty and alumni.  

Structured Exploration: guidance and support to explore direct enrollment major to Business Analytics, Computation, and Systems Integration; Biotechnology, Biosystems, Pre-med; Robotics, Space Systems, and Materials; or Sustainability, Energy, and Infrastructure.  Each themed pathway presents unique courses and co-curricular opportunities, allowing you to find a path that best aligns with your interests and passions. A first-year experience that reflects the multidisciplinary nature of engineering. Content, discipline, and profession. 

Engaged Learning: Engineers are at the forefront of addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges, such as advanced manufacturing and materials, healthcare, biotechnology, and infrastructure development. Through engaging lectures and hands-on projects, you will develop critical thinking skills and learn how to apply engineering principles to real-world problems. The program will also facilitate early connections with industry partners and alumni serving in engineering roles aligned with the exploration themes.  

Special note about the AU 2024 pilot - The pathways programming is in the BETA phase; student feedback will be collected throughout the for continuous improvement.   All students will have a support team with an assigned academic advisor (including the academic advisor from the major or pre-major they selected on their application), CARE and EASE staff, and an alumni mentor from one of the Explore Pathways to empower you inside and outside of the classroom. 

Please email Mary Leist (leist.48@osu.edu) for more details.

With support from the GM Foundation and The Boeing Company, the Academic EnriChment and Career DevELopment for UndERgraduATEs, known as ACCELERATE, is a research and project based summer program for second-year students designed to accelerate their progress through the engineering curriculum.  Academic success enrichment and career development  programming will enhance student problem solving skills, expose them to key concepts necessary for matriculation in their engineering program and provide them hands-on problem solving experience through team, project-based learning.

• Learn More about ACCELERATE

ACCELERATED REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) Boot Camp is a yearly event during the autumn semester. 

Email Gisell Jeter-Bennett, PhD (jeter.bennett.1@osu.edu) with any questions.

EmpowHERment Cafes and ELEVATE are open to College of Engineering students and focus on women-identifying engineering students and all those who support them. The cafes allow students to build community in an affirming, safe, and welcoming space.

Wellness is an integral part of a student’s academic success. Engineering Wellness workshops and events are focused on establishing healthy physical and mental wellness routines. Previous events include yoga classes, rock climbing, boxing, meditation workshops and our annual Cookies and Canvas event.