The relationship between an engineering student’s integration into the academic and social systems of their postsecondary institution and their undergraduate success, particularly for students from underrepresented minority backgrounds, is well documented.  The Simmons Scholars advising framework explicitly contemplates this association, and intentionally connects first-year students with more experienced colleagues in Engineering Professional Organizations, Project Teams, and other community-based, student-led groups to support students’ belonging, academic performance, and goal attainment.

Simmons Scholars are represented across five Engineering Professional Organizations (EPOs) in the College of Engineering: The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Women in Computing at Cornell (WICC), and Underrepresented Minorities in Computing (URMC).  Approximately 50% of Simmons Scholars affiliated with EPOs in 2022-2023.

Additionally, Simmons Scholars represented across at least 13 Project Teams.  These include, but are not limited to: Combat Robotics @ Cornell, Cornell Autonomous Bicycle, Cornell Concrete Canoe, Cornell Engineering World Health, Cornell Nexus, Cornell FSAE Racing, Cornell Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Cornell University Unmanned Air Systems, Cornell Engaged IoT, Big Red Adaptive Play and Design Initiative, Engineers For A Sustainable World, Cornell University Sustainable Design, and Engineers Without Borders.  Simmons Scholars are also reprsented in the Cornell Army ROTC and on various projects within Entrepreneurship At Cornell.