Previewing a Newly Proposed Program: Engineering

Engineers play a vital role in making the world safer, healthier, and more enjoyable. They tackle many of the critical challenges we face today, from providing clean water and addressing climate change to improving food production and optimizing supply chains—even reducing long lines at theme parks. Despite their importance, the U.S. faces a severe shortage of engineers equipped to meet these challenges (BLS economic projections, 2025).

Carroll University is well-positioned to help bridge the gap in engineering graduates needed for our society. Our curriculum, which combines applied physics, technology, math, and sciences with a liberal arts general education, fosters a unique skill set. Our engineering graduates will not only specialize in technical areas but also develop creative and critical thinking abilities, complex problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the capacity to work well in diverse teams. Market research shows that employers are actively seeking graduates with this combination of skills (Lightcast Job Posting Analytics Report, 2023).

In line with our larger vision, Carroll aims to launch new programs that leverage our existing strengths while addressing employer needs. Our strategic plan emphasizes identifying new program opportunities that are viable both externally and institutionally. The pre-engineering program at Carroll has laid the groundwork for formal engineering education. With key infrastructure already established, we are prepared to elevate our offerings to full bachelor’s degrees in engineering. Currently, our pre-engineering students must transfer to other institutions to complete their engineering requirements, effectively “leaving degrees on the table.” Once approved, the Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) and Mechanical Engineering (MEE) programs will welcome students in the fall 2025 semester.

The ISE and MEE programs are particularly well-suited as our first bachelor’s degrees in engineering, thanks to existing coursework, student interest, faculty expertise, and employability data. Wisconsin ranks third in the nation for employment concentration of industrial and systems engineers and mechanical engineering is projected to see a 17.2% growth, adding nearly 11,000 new positions by 2032 (BLS, 2024).

Carroll's engineering programs are specifically designed to meet the significant engineering needs of both regional and national markets. Unlike many other programs, ours will be integrated within the liberal arts framework at Carroll. This unique approach will ensure that Carroll engineers become highly sought after for their ability to solve problems both as technicians and critical thinkers.