June 14, 2019

The University of Houston (UH) Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies (PROMES) recently completed its first faculty-led learning abroad trip to Brazil. This marks the first faculty-led learning abroad program from the Cullen College of Engineering. The group traveled to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

“The students had the amazing opportunity to connect with energy and engineering companies, as well as a research institute for future internships, co-ops, research, and full-time employment” said Minerva Carter, senior PROMES program manager. “On this trip, I had the opportunity to broaden the minds of UH Women of PROMES and PROMES Scholars, who are comprised of first generation and/or underrepresented groups in engineering education and develop the UH Women of PROMES Global Leader Network.”

The Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies (PROMES) was established at the University of Houston in 1974 for the recruitment, retention, and academic development of Hispanic, African American, and Native American students in the Cullen College of Engineering. Today PROMES is open to all students in the college, and its mission is to provide a positive learning environment that supports the needs of undergraduate students.

UH Women of PROMES is a dynamic and multi-dimensional program driving the work of social and system change for underrepresented groups in engineering education and industry pipelines. The  Women of PROMES Global Leader Network has furthered enhanced engineering students’ global leadership and career development through the completion of a compilation of UH Global core competencies and Women of PROMES’ global student success co-curricular mentoring/training that distinguishes them as not only global citizens, but also as Women of PROMES Global Leaders.  

“We have moved passed the development of soft skills” Minerva continued. “Women of PROMES is developing power skills of highly-effective problem solvers.  We are persistently transforming lives and removing barriers that have hindered the success of women in STEM education and professions.”  

“I am excited to see faculty incorporating initiatives from the Office of the Provost, such as the Global Citizens Credential, into their own programs” said Paula Myrick Short, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Last year, PROMES won the Regent’s Academic Excellence Award for uniting academic support with a sense of community for these students. It is heartening to see the progress they have made over the last year.”

“Without PROMES hundreds if not thousands of Cullen College of Engineering graduates may not have earned their degrees. As much as it is about helping prepare students academically, PROMES is also a family and a community, connecting students to campus, the college, employers and each other,” said Jerrod Henderson, director of PROMES.

Henderson recently received a $20,000 Access Grant from the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to for a faculty-led program to Ghana. The CIEE Access Grant is part of CIEE’s longstanding commitment to expand study abroad opportunities for students underrepresented in international education. The funds from the CIEE Access Grants can be used to help students, normally underrepresented in study abroad, with participation costs.

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