Each fall semester MEP sponsors a Freshman and Transfer Student Retreat. In 2005 we visited the Trinity Mountain Ranch in Black Hawk. Freshmen and transfer students learned the secrets to engineering success from several CSM upper-class volunteers and community members. Workshops included resume writing, college finances and how to succeed in college.

SUMMET began in 1971 by a group of six faculty members who were concerned about the low enrollment of minority students in engineering. During the one-week program students performed small experiments and investigated engineering concepts with the professors.  Six to ten Denver area students were selected to participate in the activities.

In 1991, the program was awarded a Program of Excellence (POE) grant from the Colorado Commission of Higher Education (CCHE).  The grant allowed for the further development and improvement of the program.  One of these improvements was to increase enrollment to 60 students.  The other was the full implementation of the two-week academic and two-week group project curriculum. The POE grant ended in 1995.

During summer 2002, thirty-nine high school juniors and seniors participated in the three-week residential session.  Throughout the years, it is estimated that over twelve hundred students have benefited from the SUMMET program.

In 1995, the Preparation for Engineering Program was awarded a seed grant from the Department of Energy to establish a sister program to SUMMET for eighth and ninth grade students.  Thirty rising ninth and tenth graders spent three weeks living on campus and simulating the college experience, with emphasis on math, science and engineering. Nearly two hundred students have participated in PREP in its six-year existence.

First established at CSM in 1989, Challenge is a four-week summer academic transitional bridge program for selected freshmen that otherwise may not qualify to attend the School. The objective of the Challenge program is to introduce minority students to and prepare them for the academic rigors of Colorado School of Mines, including “gate keeping” courses such as calculus and chemistry. The students learn Mathematics 100 and Chemistry 111 (respectively prerequisites for Calculus 121 and Chemistry 121) from CSM faculty and earn academic credit for their work. Other than transportation to CSM and personal spending money, the selected students attend the program at no charge.

Challenge students indicate a strong probability of success in college, but due to curriculum choices or college exam results would likely be denied admission to CSM without the opportunity to prove themselves in the program. Challenge students must successfully complete the program in order to be admitted to CSM in the Fall.

Representatives from nine corporate partners presented various workshops to approximately one hundred sophomores and juniors.  The one and one half day event included presentations on Research and Follow Up of a Company, How to Work a Career Fair, and Winning Over the Recruiter.

The fifth annual MEC was held in February 2002. Approximately two hundred 7th through 11th graders and their parents attended the daylong event that introduced them to the post-secondary educational process.

MEP celebrated fourteen years of success with this year’s banquet in April 2005. The event, organized by MEP students, honors graduating seniors. More than 250 students, staff and corporate representatives were in attendance.