University of Maryland Eastern Shore News August 29, 2013 UMES engineering program earns accreditation The University of Maryland Eastern Shore joined a select group of institutions this month when its bachelor's degree in engineering earned accreditation as an undergraduate program that produces well-prepared graduates entering the field. UMES meets all academic standards set by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. The long-awaited news about ABET accreditation came as plans are being finalized to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in September for a new classroom building that will house the university's engineering and aviation science programs<http://www.umes.edu/PR/Article.aspx?id=44167>, among others. According to ABET's website, UMES becomes the 26th historically black institution to achieve the credential, which the organization says "demonstrates ... (a) commitment to providing students with a quality education." Dr. Juliette B. Bell called "accreditation of the engineering program, along with that of the pharmacy program, ... one of the highlights of my first year as president." Central State University, where Dr. Bell was chief academic officer before becoming UMES' president in July 2012, is among the HBCUs with ABET accreditation. Accreditation is a peer-review process in which an institution's academic program voluntarily undergoes comprehensive, periodic evaluations. Professionals working in industry, government, academe and private practice within ABET disciplines conduct those evaluations, focusing on curricula, faculty, facilities, institutional support and other important areas. Dr. Ayodele Alade, dean of UMES' School of Business and Technology, saluted "the leadership in the Engineering Department, the faculty and staff ... for their great job and commitment in moving forward the accreditation process. My sincere 'thank you' to all of them." After achieving the ABET credential, institutions are expected to continue working to improve the quality of education provided. That includes setting specific, measurable goals for their students and graduates, assessing their success at reaching those goals, and adjusting their programs as needed based on results of their assessment. Accreditation also provides engineering students with a guide when choosing a college, enables employers and graduate schools to recruit well-prepared graduates and assists registration, licensure, and certification boards in screening applicants. The achievement of the ABET Engineering accreditation is another milestone in UMES' pursuit of "academic eminence," Alade said. Twenty-eight academic programs at UMES hold coveted accreditation credentials awarded by their respective peer-review organizations. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.