On a beautiful August day during Summer Session 2, the Baskin School of Engineering hosted its 3rd annual Meet and Greet for incoming first year and transfer students with proposed engineering majors. The event was an annual collaboration as part of UCSC’s Early Start Program, Summer Edge.
The program started with a tour of Baskin Engineering by the Baskin Engineering Student Ambassadors (BESAs), which highlighted presentations about the MESA Engineering Program and Slugworks, the student-led experiential learning space, and career services for engineering students. Returning from the tour, students enjoyed presentations from BE staff Erin Busch and Jay Noh on career resources as well as clubs and organizations. Jim Whitehead, faculty member and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, also had the opportunity to talk about academic programs and experiential learning opportunities and stayed after the presentations to mingle with the students and answer their many questions.
Lynell Spencer, Director of Student Success at Baskin Engineering, who led coordinating the day’s events, said, “It was very exciting to see how enthusiastic and engaged our Summer Edge students were. They asked great questions, and really engaged with the faculty and staff that were in attendance.”
Summer Edge gives students a valuable head start on their academic journey at UCSC, especially in high-demand majors like those in Baskin Engineering. Building early connections with seasoned students, faculty, and staff fosters a sense of belonging and community, while providing students with access to valuable resources and guidance, all of which contribute to their academic success and transition into university life. In addition to these unique in-person experiences, students also took Summer Session courses.
Summer Edge is looking forward to continuing the tradition of the Baskin Engineering Meet and Greet for Summer Edge 2025 and beyond, with the hopes of expanding the program and offering other departments the opportunity to host similar experiences for students in their majors. Summer Edge staff said they are grateful for the campus partnerships that make these events possible, and note that inter-campus collaboration is key to student success and retention.
This summer’s event laid a solid foundation for the fall. As they step into their first fall quarter, these future engineering students are well-prepared to excel, supported by the relationships and experiences they have already begun building.
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