Jonathan F. Earle

Who is Jonathan F. Earle?

Jonathan F.K. Earle completed his Ph.D. at the University of Florida in 1985, and joined the faculty in the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering in 1987. He was appointed Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the University of Florida College of Engineering in 1992. This position was later upgraded to Associate Dean. He remained in this position until his retirement in December, 2007. He now holds the title "Associate Dean Emeritus".

In this position, he created the Engineering Student Services Center to provide advising, resources and academic support to engineering students. He is perhaps best known, though, for his dedication to increasing the retention and graduation rates of minority students in engineering disciplines. In 1993 he implemented the STEPUP program, based on the Meyerhoff model. STEPUP provides an intensive 6-week residential program for selected students and includes peer mentoring, academic preparation in calculus and chemistry, as well as industry networking opportunities.