News 2018: ES³ offers range of services for undergraduate engineering students

Open and ready to help engineering students throughout their educational experience

by Deb Hazian

From academic support to preparing for a career after graduation, ES^3—Engineering Student Support & Services offers a range of opportunities to help undergraduate students succeed in their engineering programs.

ES³ (pronounced “S-cubed”) is open and ready to help students throughout their educational experience at UMass Dartmouth. Services include academic support, program information, referrals, and helping students to explore and participate in enrichment options such as honors, research, and study abroad.

Jennifer Murphy, an undergraduate academic advisor in the College of Engineering since 2011, is the coordinator for ES³. While advising students, she realized that she was serving a fraction of the engineering student population. “There was a growing need and we wanted to offer more,” said Murphy.

“ES³ is here to support all engineering students throughout their college career—from being their first academic point of contact during Orientation to helping them enrich their academic experience inside and outside the classroom. Our goal is to support them through graduation and beyond,” added Murphy. “We are here to advise, monitor students for early intervention, encourage peer mentoring, suggest academic enrichment, and more.”

Megan Chiavini recently assumed the role of academic advisor at ES³.

Assistance with academic and enrichment programs

At ES³, students can learn more about engineering majors and minors, as well as university and college policies and procedures for their programs.

ES³ will be a valuable resource for information about internships, the honors program, faculty-led research opportunities, professional organizations, and study abroad.

Referrals will be made to other campus departments for tutoring, academic accommodations, counseling, and career development.

The office is already proving helpful for students. Jared Keith ’21, a first-year mechanical engineering major, recently met with Murphy to learn more about summer courses and fall class requirements and registration.

“I appreciate how open they are to meet with all students,” said Keith. “They really helped me out and it means a lot.”

“ES³ represents the college’s firm commitment to supporting the academic and extracurricular success of our students.”

A "one-stop solution" to address student needs, assist faculty with advising

“ES³ represents the college’s firm commitment to supporting the academic and extracurricular success of our students. It expands and enhances our outstanding faculty academic advising by providing a one-stop solution to address student needs. The office will also support faculty on student matters,” said Interim Dean Ramprasad Balasubramanian.

“We always aspire to be proactive with our students,” added Interim Associate Dean Ray Laoulache, “This led to our expansion to a two-person staff. Our goal is to ensure that undergraduates enjoy a successful college experience.”

A peer-mentoring program is being developed where engineering upperclassmen will work with incoming engineering students to help them toward a successful completion of their degree.

ES³ will prepare engineering students for graduation

“By providing students with all kinds of support, we are customizing their education so when they graduate, they will have a very impressive resume. We are helping them toward graduation and to take advantage of all the services the college offers,” said Laoulache.

ES³ is conveniently located in Dion 319 and is open from 8am to 4:30pm. Appointments are recommended; walk-ins are welcome.

An official opening of ES³ is planned for the fall.

ES³ Engineering Student Support & Services
Dion 319
508-999-8835
coesupport@umassd.edu

More information: ES3—Engineering Student Support & Services