Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering has achieved a milestone by surpassing its 25 by 25 initiative. As of last Fall 2023, the college has enrolled 25,132 students across its various campuses and engineering programs.

The initiative, launched in 2013, set out to increase the enrollment of engineering students to 25,000 by 2025 in response to the critical demand for engineers in Texas and across the nation. At that time, enrollment was about 11,000 engineering students on campus, including 8,000 undergraduates and 3,000 graduates.

Aimed to provide greater access to high-quality engineering education for qualified students who might otherwise be denied due to limited enrollment capacity, 25 by 25 focused on increasing enrollment without compromising the quality of education and maintaining rigorous academic standards. It ensured talented students had access to an outstanding public education leading to high-demand engineering professions and pursuits.

“The success of the 25 by 25 initiative exemplifies our commitment to addressing the critical demand for engineers in Texas and beyond,” said John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “By expanding access and maintaining excellence, we are preparing our students to tackle the challenges of the future.”

The college’s success in exceeding its enrollment goals was achieved through a multifaceted approach. The initiative had three guiding principles: increase accessibility to engineering education at all levels; transform the educational experience to better prepare students to engage in and meet the future needs of the engineering marketplace; and deliver engineering education in a cost-effective and affordable manner.

“This milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our land-grant mission,” said General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, president of Texas A&M. “The College of Engineering’s dedication to excellence ensures that the university remains at the forefront of engineering education, equipping our students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a competitive global economy.”

Sofi English ’25 is a senior aerospace engineering student who began pursuing her degree at the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Austin Community College. The Engineering Academy program was developed during the 25 by 25 initiative to help increase the accessibility and affordability of an engineering degree. Students are co-enrolled in Texas A&M and one of 10 affiliated partner colleges. They take core curriculum courses from the partner college while taking all engineering courses from Texas A&M faculty who teach on the partner college campus.

“When I graduated from high school, I was already taking courses through Austin Community College and learned about the Texas A&M Engineering Academy,” said English. “I am fully funding my own education, so the financial advantages of living at home and working a full-time job my first year while co-enrolled was a no-brainer.”

English has benefited from multiple internships that include NASA, the SETI institute and most recently, Collins Aerospace, where she was involved with space suit systems engineering and bioastronautics.

“The high-quality classes at Texas A&M prepared me well for each of my internships,” English said. “I will graduate in May and feel absolutely ready to begin a career in aerospace engineering.”

Dr. Robert H. Bishop ’79, who was named the vice chancellor and dean of engineering in April and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering at Texas A&M, is committed to leading a college that will always be intent on student success and positive societal impact.

“Students like Sofi English will drive progress and address the complex challenges facing our state and nation,” said Dr. Robert H. Bishop, vice chancellor and dean of engineering. “By investing in cutting-edge facilities, attracting world-class faculty and fostering innovative research, we are preparing the next generation of Aggie engineering leaders. I want to thank Dr. Kathy Banks, former dean of engineering, for launching 25 by 25. And — together with our students, faculty, staff and stakeholders — I am excited about the opportunity to redefine engineering education at scale and meet the complex challenges of tomorrow.”

As the college continues to build on the success of the 25 by 25 initiative, it remains committed to providing students with a world-class education and the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research and hands-on learning experiences as we launch new initiatives in technology, computing, and space exploration, while maintaining leadership in energy, health, sustainability, and national security. The college’s dedication to innovation and a global perspective ensures that its graduates are well prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.