L et’s face it, college isn’t cheap. And for students from lower-income situations, earning a bachelor’s without crippling debt may seem well-nigh impossible. But for future Aggie engineers, the Engineering Academies might have the solution.
A partnership between the College of Engineering and 10 community colleges throughout the state, the Engineering Academies program allows students to dual-enroll at Texas A&M University and a participating community college. For their first year or two, they attend core classes and engineering courses taught by Texas A&M faculty at the community college before transitioning to College Station to complete their degree. The best part? Students can live closer to home and save money—roughly $40,000 over the course of their four years—while still being Aggies from day one of their college journey.
“The academies answer our land-grant university mission by opening up one of Texas A&M’s largest colleges to students who might not have had access otherwise,” said director Ed Bassett. “I’ve heard so many stories from students who have always wanted to be an Aggie engineer but didn’t think it was possible until they heard about the academies. Many of them also return to their hometowns after they graduate, taking their skills back to benefit their communities.”
Since the first academies opened with 92 students in 2015, the program has exploded in growth, producing more than 720 graduates, boasting nearly 1,000 current students—including 33% who are first-generation students—and inspiring similar programs throughout the nation. To put a face to the stats, meet a few students as they share their experiences in the academies and Aggieland.
Photo by Arturo Olmos
Madison Yoder ’27Civil Engineering
How you heard about the academies: I was at a college fair at my high school and saw a booth for the Engineering Academies. I’d always wanted to be an Aggie and an engineer, and when I heard there was an academy only five minutes away at Tarrant County College, I was so excited and applied the day the application opened. I come from a single-parent household and have a twin sister, so saving money through the academies was the perfect opportunity.
Your biggest accomplishment: My freshman year, I got a 98 on my Calculus I final. That was the moment I knew I could go the distance and become an engineer. Especially with engineering being a male-dominated field, I want to prove to other women that they can succeed in engineering, and that calculus final made me realize it was possible.
Your role model: My mom. My parents have been divorced since I was 3, so I’ve always relied on my mom. She’s my best friend, and she’s the one who got me interested in engineering. When I found out I got into the academies, I ran to tell her the news. She always encourages me, tells me to try my hardest and says every day how proud she is of me.
Joshua Mathew ’24Mechanical Engineering
Your Engineering Academy experience: I started college during the COVID-19 pandemic, so all my classes at the Dallas College academy were virtual, but I still gained a lot from my time there. My professors in the academy taught me about different engineering majors and extracurricular opportunities, which helped me when I transitioned to College Station and guided my choice to major in mechanical engineering. I also met a lot of my classmates online, and although I didn’t expect to meet them in College Station on such a big campus, I did run into a few of them. These encounters helped develop one of the things I love most about Texas A&M: the small-world moments that remind you we’re all connected as Aggies.
Photo by Arturo Olmos
Your favorite campus organization: The Big Event. When I transitioned to College Station, it seemed like everyone had a certain Texas A&M tradition they were part of, and when I learned about The Big Event, I knew that would be mine. I was on staff for two years and met so many people across campus and in the community. I still remember my first year experiencing the event and how rewarding it was to see our hard work pay off through everyone serving the community. It’s one of my favorite memories.
On the academies’ impact: They open the door to more students and let them see what college is like without having to go all out with finances. My parents immigrated from India, so my family doesn’t have a history of affiliation with American universities. The academies gave me an opportunity to enroll at Texas A&M while easing into a big university environment, and I’m so grateful for my experiences.
