Twenty Years and Beyond of Engineering at West Texas A&M University

Engineering programs began at West Texas A&M University in 2003. Engineering firms and government agencies identified a need to train and keep engineers in the greater Panhandle Region of the state of Texas. An existing engineering technology program was joined with programs in computer science and later mathematics along with new engineering programs in mechanical (2003), civil (2010), environmental (2012), electrical (2016), and master's level (2017). All of these programs are now consolidated in a College of Engineering (2020). The programs are tailored for 21st century needs with all four engineering programs gaining successful ABET accreditation as the first graduates were produced. This paper will discuss the process to build ABET accredited engineering programs as well as current and future plans for these growing and vital programs.