To help develop a strong pipeline of students who are interested in becoming in engineering majors — and who have the skills and abilities to succeed in this rigorous program — Dr. Seshadri Mohan in 2008 founded the Engineering Scholars Program (ESP) at UALR. Dr. Mohan defined the program and successfully procured grants from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority to launch ESP.

The objective of ESP is to increase the number of students entering engineering programs in Arkansas through exposure to hands-on engineering projects, plant trips, and interaction with industry engineers. In addition, the two-week residential summer program includes counseling and advising sessions to assist students in preparing for college. In summer 2009, the second year of the program, 16 high school students spent two weeks at UALR studying with professors.

The exposure to engineering and counseling and advising sessions helps high school students make informed choices on appropriate course work during their high school years for pursuing future careers in engineering.