Becoming Engaged Engineering Scholars

BEES logo: deep blue background with white text spelling the acronym BEES: Becoming Engaged Engineering Scholars

What is the BEES Program?

The BEES Program at WWU responds to the challenges in recruiting and retaining academically-talented, low-income students from diverse backgrounds into the three undergraduate engineering programs at Western (Electrical and Computer Engineering, Plastics and Composites Engineering, and Manufacturing Engineering). The BEES Program aims to provide a systematic sequence of academic, social, and career support services specifically designed to enhance the success of engineering students during the first two years of their undergraduate study. This program is supported by the National Science Foundation to provide scholarships for students who qualify. 

student

The BEES program has been a wonderful experience, connecting me with classmates, mentors, and faculty. I gained a lot of confidence through this program, and it has made me feel welcomed in the engineering building.

Shelby Powers
Electrical and Computer Engineering junior

What Are the Benefits of the Program?

  • Financial support for the first two years of pre-engineering
  • Active advising with faculty from the engineering program and industrial partners
  • Peer mentoring from other scholars and engineering professionals at local industries
  • A week-long introductory program before the start of the first year
  • First-year seminar classes that add to your major requirements
  • Early exposure to engineering problems and creative solutions through engaged engineering projects with the local community
  • Nourishing the sense of community through cohorts
  • Social gatherings and activities
a picture of 2019-2020's BEES scholars in the Boeing facility
Karen M

I appreciated the support and opportunities that helped me grow academically and personally. I would advise future students to reach out and get connected, be involved and present.

Karen M. Aguilar
Electrical and Computer Engineering junior

Why should I apply?

In addition to providing at least $5,000 each year, each year for your first two years of engineering study, the BEES Program offers a great opportunity to boost your pre-engineering knowledge and be prepared to apply for any of the three engineering majors at Western while interacting with some amazing peers, faculty, mentors, and professionals from industry. 

Eligibility requirements

  • Must have a high school GPA of 3.0+ or 2.7+ with demonstrated leadership.
  • Must have successfully completed a high school or community college pre-calculus course sequence.  This must be a year-long or two-semester sequence of pre-calculus.
  • Must have financial need determined by FAFSA. Specifically, EFC or SAI on the student aid report must be less than or equal to $15,000.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, national, or refugee. 

The BEES application is now closed.

Who can I contact for more information?

Prof. Jill Davishahl, First Year Programs

Dr. Andy Klein, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Dr. Sura Al-Qudah, Manufacturing Engineering

BEES@wwu.edu