As new students settle in and adjust to the Siena Heights University lifestyle, so does a new faculty member.

Ryan Hamilton is the newest member to join the engineering faculty at Siena Heights University. The new engineering program offered at SHU is in collaboration with the University of North Dakota. This allows students to graduate with an ABET accredited bachelor’s degree in the fields of chemical, civil, electrical or mechanical engineering.

Currently there are 28 students who are taking advantage of this program. Hamilton said these students will have to complete fundamental math, science and general education courses in the classrooms at Siena Heights. Engineering courses will be completed online from UND. For first- and second-year students, this means meeting with instructors from Siena Heights to complete the online content from the UND.

Hamilton said he hopes to have all of his students taking one class through UND by this winter. Some popular majors students are combining with engineering are business, sport management, math and computer and information systems. Engineering is a five-year program, and at the conclusion of the program, students will have two bachelor’s degrees. Students will receive an engineering degree from UND as well as a SHU degree. Currently there are both freshmen and sophomores working toward their engineering degrees, Hamilton said.

“I chose Siena Heights because it was a chance to start something new, which you don’t usually get to do,” Hamilton said. “Also, I’ve always wanted to work at a small, liberal arts-focused institution.”