Morehouse Physics {\&} Dual Degree Engineering Program: We $C.A.R.E.$ Approach

Growing the physics major at any undergraduate institution, especially Morehouse College -- a private, all-male, liberal arts HBCU, can be very challenging. To address this challenge at Morehouse, the faculty and staff in the Department of Physics and Dual Degree Engineering Program (Physics {\&} DDEP) are applying a methodology and pedagogical approach called ``We $C.A.R.E$'' which stands for \underline {\textit{C}}\textit{urriculum, }\underline {\textit{A}}\textit{dvisement, }\underline {\textit{R}}\textit{ecruitment/Retention/Research, and }\underline {\textit{E}}\textit{xtras}. This approach utilizes an integrated strategy of cultural (family-orientated), collaborative (shared-governance), and career (personalized-pathways) modalities to provide the momentum of growing the physics major at Morehouse from 10-12 students to over 100 students in less than 5 years. Physics {\&} DDEP at Morehouse, creatively, altered faculty course assignments, curriculum offerings, and departmental policies while expanding research projects, student organizations, and external collaborations. This method supplies a variety of meaningful, academic and research experiences for undergraduates at Morehouse and thoroughly prepares students for graduate studies or professional careers in STEM disciplines. Thus, a detailed overview of the ``We $C.A.R.E.$'' approach will be presented along with the Physics {\&} DDEP vision, alterations and expansions in growing the physics major at Morehouse College.