UTEP, AT&T Collaborate to Offer Master of Science in Systems Engineering to AT&T Employees
Last Updated on March 19, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Originally published March 19, 2019
By UC Staff
UTEP Communications
The University of Texas at El Paso's College of Engineering is partnering with AT&T to offer qualified AT&T employees the opportunity to enroll in the fully online Master of Science in Systems Engineering program, which will be facilitated by UTEP Connect and Extended University beginning in summer 2019.
"UTEP’s agreement with AT&T provides the University with the perfect opportunity to make an excellent UTEP education available and accessible to a larger audience,” said Beth Brunk-Chavez, Ph.D., dean of UTEP’s Extended University. “UTEP Connect is proud to play a role in this promising partnership."
The collaboration builds on AT&T’s ongoing partnership with Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to recruit and develop talented, diverse employees. AT&T partners with many different universities to offer a variety of programs to their employees, but this is the first systems engineering program on AT&T’s class roster.
“We’re excited about this new partnership with UTEP and the opportunity it will provide for our global workforce,” said Dahna Hull, senior vice president, AT&T Communications. “UTEP’s systems engineering program is a great fit for our culture of continuous learning, and will help employees continue to develop their skills and ensure they are equipped for the jobs of the future.”
AT&T seeks out partnerships with programs that are primarily, if not fully, online because they are universally accessible. Programs typically offer employees skills and knowledge they need to advance within the company.
“I am pleased AT&T is working with us on advancing their workforce through systems engineering,” said Theresa A. Maldonado, Ph.D., dean of UTEP’s College of Engineering. “Our comprehensive M.S. program was developed in coordination with industry, and so it will have meaningful relevance to their employees and to the company.”
Systems engineering is a discipline that accounts for both the technical and business needs of stakeholders when solving complex problems. It provides an end-to-end perspective that considers the requirements of all components and constituencies within a system. The Master of Science in Systems Engineering is fully online and targets engineering professionals who want to expand their engineering skills while learning how to manage large projects and develop effective and efficient systems strategies applicable in a variety of different areas. It’s a great way for AT&T employees to hone their professional skills.
“I am extremely excited to collaborate with AT&T in this partnership,” said Heidi A. Taboada, Ph.D., associate dean for research and graduate studies at UTEP. “Systems Engineering is an area that has become increasingly prevalent and can provide a unique perspective to make system-wide connections. I am looking forward to working together to train the next generation of system engineers.
UTEP's Extended University serves as the hub for nontraditional academic programs, professional training and education, and community enrichment. Extended University works with UTEP's academic colleges to coordinate and manage the University's growing inventory of fully online degree and certificate programs, UTEP Connect. UTEP Connect's vision is to create a global community of learners committed to lifelong learning, promoting social responsibility, and increasing global awareness. UTEP's agreement with AT&T provides the University with the perfect opportunity to make an excellent UTEP education available and accessible to a larger audience.