Kettering University’s AIM program was honored with the Pre-College Program of the Year award from the National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates (NAMEPA) March 1, at Sony Motion Picture Studios in Los Angeles at their conference "Advancing Diversity in Engineering: Helping America Compete," reflects the Association's historical purpose and the importance of its contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

The award recognizes pre-college programs that introduce students to academic degree programs and careers in engineering, and that encourage them to enroll in engineering programs in college. 

“What made our program stand out was our strong academic emphasis and our collaboration with industry enabling us to expose AIM students to engineering careers through company tours, and corporate sponsorship,” said Ricky Brown, associate director of Minority Student Affairs in the Office of  Multicultural Student Initiatives at Kettering.  

“We were also unique in that we had 29 out of 36 participants of the 2008 AIM class apply to Kettering, with 19 matriculating as freshmen at the University this year,” he added. Since 1994, 49 percent of all students who participated in AIM matriculated at the University, according to Brown, who directs the AIM program with Stephanie Jones, associate director of Minority Student Affairs.

NAMEPA is a national network of educators and representatives from industry, government, and nonprofit organizations who share a common commitment to improving the recruitment and retention of African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians earning degrees in engineering. As a recognized authority in minority engineering education, NAMEPA serves as an advocate for those students, promotes the professional development of members, and generally engages in a wide range of activities which respond to the needs of its membership.