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Frequently Asked Questions
Why ELP?
About the program
Scholarships
Scholar Selection
Application System
Other Questions
Why ELP? How does this program fit in with EPLI (Engineering Policy and Leadership Institute)? The ELP works to help develop student leaders and help them be successful in their pursuit of their different leadership paths. The ELPI will introduce several unique opportunities for our students and community members in general to engage in initiating greater dialogue between the scientific and social groups in our community. Developing the leaders of tomorrow is one step in fulfilling the goals of the ELPI. The problems we face in the world today are becoming more technical in nature, as the technical community works to develop and implement solutions for tomorrow the need for a new caliber of engineer has arisen. The technical community, Dean Mark Kushner and 3M Corporation all recognized that the engineer of the future needs strong leadership skills to compliment the outstanding engineering skills and knowledge students acquire during their education in order to better prepare them for leadership and collaborative roles in their professional careers. The College of Engineering launched the Engineering Leadership Program to help develop exceptional leadership skills among its graduates. What makes ELP different from the University Honors program? The difference between the ELP and the Honors Program is evident in their respective mission statements. The Honors Program promotes an enriched academic environment for students interested in taking advantage of intellectual opportunities and challenges. The ELP focuses on developing leadership skills and understanding how to use them to make the world a better place. The Honors Program encourages a challenging academic path accompanied by research with leadership development as a secondary emphasis. The ELP emphasizes individualized leadership development with special academic opportunities and research as secondary. Participation in both programs is possible and often encouraged. The mission of the Engineering Leadership Program is to create an environment for the leaders of tomorrow to realize their full potential and to recognize the responsibility to make the world a better place. How will ELP prepare me for the future? The skills and experiences gained through the ELP are beneficial to a person regardless of their career path. A graduate from the ELP will enter industry with a skills set and a mindset to be a leader in their industry and in their community. In a students' 2nd - 4th years in the program, general resources are provided, but each ELP Scholar guides the course of their own leadership development. Therefore, a student who plans to enter industry can choose to pursue specific leadership development opportunities which will help prepare them for their future.
About the program I want to do well in school and be involved in other activities. Will being in ELP be too overwhelming? The Engineering Leadership Program is designed to help students adjust to college life and become successful leaders. There will be a number of optional opportunities that you will want to take advantage of if you are selected to be part of the program which will take up time in your schedule. As far as required time obligations, you will be required to take a 1 credit Leadership Seminar the first year and there will be other obligations on certain evenings which you will be required to attend. This program should not hinder on your ability to succeed academically. How many hours a week must I commit to ELP? ELP Scholars are expected to commit between 3-5 hours to ELP related activities each week during their first year in the program. However, some weeks may require more time depending on the scheduled ELP activities while some weeks may require less time. The expectations are that you would be an active participant in the College of Engineering’s Leadership Program and maintain a good academic standing. As an ELP scholar you will participate in a peer and faculty mentoring program which is designed to guide students to accomplish their individual goals. Educational and extra curricular experiences through ELP at Iowa State will help you develop and fine tune your own personal leadership style. You will be a member of a cohort which have weekly seminars, a retreat, a service project, and other exciting events. What are networking opportunities? Examples of networking opportunities include; getting to know fellow ELP scholars, peer and faculty mentoring, events such as the Leadership Retreat, Dinner and Discussion, Alumni and corporate interactions, Distinguished Speakers, corporate visits (i.e. 3M visits), and community events. What leadership skills are taught? Examples of skills that will be emphasized during the first year include time management, effective communication, team development, public speaking, networking, making a professional impact, and project management. Why do you start with freshmen? By starting freshman in this program, it gives the students one year to gain leadership skills and three years to continue learning while putting these skills into practice. This approach also requires less of the students' time each semester, allowing them to focus on their coursework and get involved in other programs and organizations. How many ELP scholars are there? The ELP accepts approximately 15 scholars per year. Currently there are 16 scholars who will be returning as sophomores and 15 scholars beginning the program as freshman. There are also 10 upper class scholars whose ages vary. When the program reaches its maturity, there will be about 60 scholars in the program each year. How long does the program last? Scholars remain in the program for four full academic years. This may differ from the calendar years spent since many engineering students take a semester to participate in a co-op or internship program and thus delay their graduation. What types of leadership activities do the students do? Students in the ELP participate in many activities including leadership development seminars, teambuilding retreats, networking dinners, peer and faculty mentor programs and service learning projects. Students also have the opportunity to participate in classes created through the ELP funds that focus on ethics, leadership and public policy each within the context of technology and engineering. Are there any summer commitments? No, there are no requirements for the scholars during the summer. However, the ELP is still a developing program and needs scholars to help with its development during the summer months. Interested scholars are encouraged to speak with the program directors. Can I still intern or study abroad if I'm selected as a scholar? Absolutely. In fact, if a scholar is interested in these types of experiences, they are highly encouraged to pursue them. Years 2-4 of the program are purposely designed to be flexible in order to allow scholars to have experiences that fit their individual development goals.
Scholarships How does this impact my other scholarships? If you have been awarded other scholarships in addition to the ELP scholarship, the amount you can receive from us may change. This varies depending on what you have been awarded. Please contact us at EngineeringELP@iastate.edu to have your specific question answered. Am I liable for past scholarships if I don't meet requirements? No, a scholar is not liable for past scholarships if he/she does not complete the program/meet the requirements. However, the ELP encourages its scholars to talk with the program directors when problems arise to ensure extreme cases such as leaving the program do not occur. How much is the scholarship for and how long do students receive funds? Scholars that complete the program receive up to $2500 per year for four years.
Scholar Selection What are you looking for in an application? There are many factors taken into consideration when evaluating students’ applications. Most important is a diversity of leadership experiences (i.e. community service, athletics, school-related and non-school related extra-curricular activities, work experience, etc.) Also important is a proven record of academic excellence. How do you select the scholars? Each year the ELP seeks to bring in students with broad diversity of backgrounds and interests. A selection committee composed of students, faculty, and administrators selects applicants who have demonstrated high academic achievement and leadership potential. Leadership potential can be characterized by demonstrating integrity, initiative, innovation, high energy and drive, and involvement in a diversity of leadership experiences. Can I apply if I'm not an incoming freshman? One of the goals of the ELP is to reach out to a larger audience. Since our program is a 4-year program, we currently only accept applications from incoming freshman. However, the ELP is enthusiastic about finding new ways to involve individuals such as transfer students and the level of their involvement is determined through discussion between the interested student and the ELP's directors. What are the eligibility requirements for the program? There are no GPA, ACT, or SAT requirements to enter the program; however, these are taken into consideration during the selection process along with leadership experiences.
Application System I filled in my information in the online application, but it was not saved. What should I do? When using the application, you have to click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of each page in order for your information to be stored. Once you have done so, it should be there on any subsequent sessions. I am clicking the "Save Changes" button, but my information is not being saved. What should I do? Email EngineeringELP@iastate.edu and describe your problem. Also, attach a file to the email containing the information that you were not able to save. Visit www.eng.iastate.edu/application.asp for details about applying. The application system will only be accessible during periods when we are accepting applications. Who do I contact if I'm having problems? Please email EngineeringELP@iastate.edu if you have any problems or questions about the application process.
Other Questions Where does funding for the program come from? Funding comes from several sources including both personal and corporate donors. A complete list of donors can be found on our website at www.eng.iastate.edu/leadership/donors.asp. Implementation of specific program objectives is never included as a requirement for accepting donations for the program. Individual donors or representatives from corporate donors may serve as mentors and offer guidance in the development of program objectives, but are not integral in making final decisions about objectives. Why is public policy important for engineers? Civic engagement is everyone's duty as citizens. Engineering as a profession has a responsibility to serve the public, just as lawyers and doctors do. The problems we will face in years to come; renewable energy, clean water and global warming for example will have technical solutions. It is important that engineers, the developers of that technology, are engaged in the public process, leading people to understand and administer such solutions. Please visit www.eng.iastate.edu/leadership/serviceprojects.asp for more information on the DMAIC process. What is networking and why is it important? Networking is making lasting connections that you could potentially draw upon in the future. Effective networking is accomplished by connecting with people through conversation and by being genuinely interested in them and their wisdom. Networking is important because it connects you to more people than you can individually meet. Your future opportunities for success can be greatly influenced by the people you know. You can use different people in your network to help solve a problem, complete a task, and expand the impact of your work Networking with other high achieving students such as peer mentors helps new scholars adapt academically and socially to college. Corporate networking opportunities may lead to internships or full-time positions. Faculty networking helps scholars adjust to the academic setting of college and may lead to research assistantships.
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