The Texas Research Experience (TREX) Program at The University of Texas at Austin has produced valuable research opportunities during the academic year for more than 280 undergraduate minority engineering students. TREX provides students with a unique opportunity to establish strong links with faculty, gain hands-on laboratory experience, and develop an appreciation for research careers in academia and industry. Hosted by the Equal Opportunity in Engineering (EOE) Program for more than 11 years, this paper captures lessons learned over the years and describes how to create a successful undergraduate research program on your campus. Along with an overview of the TREX program and its benefits, the following essential program components are covered in detail: program funding, partnerships with faculty, promoting the program, the application and selection process, student placement, managing the progress of multiple research projects, and project close out requirements. In addition, student perspectives on the benefits of the TREX program have been incorporated into this paper.

The EOE Program at UT Austin was established in 1970 for the recruitment, retention, and academic development of Hispanic, African American, and Native American students interested in pursuing careers in engineering. EOE supports students historically underrepresented in engineering and strives to increase the number of minority engineering graduates from UT Austin through comprehensive support programs that address outreach and recruitment, academic enrichment, leadership, and professional development.