CREATE

About the program

The “Creating Retention and Engagement for Academically Talented Engineers” program (CREATE), at the University of Nevada, Reno is funded by the National Science Foundation through its S-STEM program. The program supports a total of 32 academically talented, financially eligible students enrolled in majors in the College of Engineering.

CREATE scholars receive a combination of academic and professional development support to help them be successful as engineering students, graduate with an engineering degree and enter the engineering workforce or graduate school.

The program has awarded a scholarship to each CREATE scholar based on eligibility criteria set forth by the program guidelines. The scholarship is awarded for up to four years and is offered in addition to what may be provided through other forms of financial aid, including grants and scholarships.

Eligibility and selection criteria

The selection process has involved criteria set forth by the CREATE program faculty as well as the National Science Foundation. To be eligible for the CREATE program, scholars must

1. Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national (as defined in section 101(a), Immigration and Nationality Act), alien admitted as refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or alien lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence
2. Be enrolled full-time at the University of Nevada, Reno (minimum 15 credits each semester, for graduation in four years) in an engineering major in the College of Engineering
3. Demonstrate academic ability and potential, based on high school or transfer GPA, ACT, or SAT scores, as determined for admission in engineering programs at UNR. i.e. minimum GPA = 3.3, Math SAT /ACT for placement in Calculus 1 = 650+/28+
4. Demonstrate a passion for engineering as shown in your application materials, required letters of recommendation, and the general University of Nevada, Reno scholarship application.

Scholars are preferred to have participated in leadership and community-related activities and to have enrolled in mathematics and science classes in high school. 

Scholarship renewal

To maintain the scholarship, scholars must maintain a 2.5 engineering GPA and progress toward their degree in the College of Engineering. They must also actively participate in CREATE program activities as defined by the program faculty, and they are encouraged to live in the Engineering Living Learning Community (LLC) residential hall during their freshman year.

At the end of every fall and spring semester, each CREATE scholar’s academic performance is evaluated to determine whether they continue to meet the performance standards. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships monitors adherence to eligibility criteria.

In addition, each semester, scholars meet with their CREATE academic advisor to determine if they have met the curricular and co-curricular requirements of the CREATE program. If a scholar has not met these standards, an individual response plan (for retention) is designed, and additional academic support is provided as needed. If a scholar does not meet the performance standards for continuing in the program, they may be placed on a probationary status, and following an opportunity period to improve their performance, the scholarship may be discontinued.

What CREATE means to me

Principal Investigators for the CREATE Program

Management team for the CREATE Program

Acknowledging the National Science Foundation

The CREATE program is funded by the National Science Foundation S-STEM award # 1833738. We are grateful for this support. The program is making a difference in lives across campus and in our community. 

The views, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed herein, nonetheless, do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.