talentsurge” as well as the training of the federal workforce on “AI issues. . . as well as relevant policy,managerial, procurement, regulatory, ethical, governance, and legal fields.”Our previous research [5] has found that although some students studying AI are interested incareer paths related to AI policy, only a third of students surveyed thought their computer science(CS) courses adequately prepared them for these career options. This conclusion is supported bya review [6] of computing ethics requirements for 250 CS undergraduate programs worldwide,which found that only one third of programs required students to take a computing ethics coursein order to graduate, while nearly one half of programs did not offer any computing-related
%, an F1-score of 0.982, precision of0.982. These results demonstrate the model’s potential to accurately and systematically analyzementoring dialogues, providing a reliable foundation for further development of AI-poweredmentor training tools.keywordsDiscourse Analysis, Peer Mentoring, RoBERTa, Talk-Move Framework, Transformer1 IntroductionPeer mentoring, where one person (i.e., the mentor) provides practical advice to the other (i.e., thementee) given that they both are similar in age and share characteristics or experiences, hasemerged as a cornerstone of engineering education, providing crucial academic, career, andemotional support to students navigating complex technical curricula. In engineering programsspecifically, where students
engineering manager in Powertrain. Her research has included the prediction of in-tube condensation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental validation. Throughout her career, Dr. Cash received many technical and diversity awards. She is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instrument facilitator. Dr. Cash is passionate about higher education and actively promotes studies in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field. She splits her time between Michigan and Florida with her husband of over thirty years. They are the parents of three children. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Transforming the Applied Engineering
undergraduate and graduate students withlocal civil engineering companies. These events provide a platform for companies to showcasetheir career opportunities and ongoing projects. IAB members have played a pivotal role inpromoting the events and ensuring strong participation from area companies. During the events,companies set up tables where students can engage with industry professionals, learn about theirwork, and explore internship and job opportunities. Attendance is mandatory for all seniorsenrolled in our core Civil Engineering Practice course during the Fall semester, preparing themfor graduation in the following Spring. Students also have the opportunity to share their resumesand LinkedIn profiles with potential employers, enhancing their job
Based Learning ProgramIntroductionIn this research-track paper, we seek to identify the relationship between engineering identity andbelonging and neurodiversity in a co-op based program. Neurodivergent characteristics, such asattention to detail, creativity, and pattern recognition, align well with careers in STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), yet retention of neurodivergent students withinengineering programs is lower than neurotypical students [1]. Neurodivergent students whograduate or attempt to enter the workforce in a STEM discipline face bias and decreased successrates in job attainment after graduation [2]. By exploring neurodiverse engineering students’engineering identity and sense of belonging in a co-op based
development, employsecholocation to map its surroundings, which it then uses to navigate and avoid obstacles duringflight. The students are responsible for designing the UAS, developing a mission profile, andconducting vehicle sizing. They select off-the-shelf components, create parametric models usingComputer-Aided Design (CAD) software, perform analyses based on these models, update thedesign, and utilize various fabrication methods, including 3D printing, to build and assemble thevehicle. Electronic components are then integrated into the system. The students involved in theproject are at different stages of their academic careers. The high school student gains new skillsin computer modeling, testing, integration, and flight, while the college
Learning Journey Festival. Figure 1 captures the initial semester-long training process and theend-of-year festival.Figure 1. Training program for new EOP Student Ambassadors, and timeline for the firstsemester and final month of the program.Additionally, the program is designed to provide students with workshops, tools, processes, and anetwork in service of the dual goal of supporting their (1) curricular change efforts, and (2)development of professional skills to benefit their future careers. In addition to understandingcurriculum development and how to make curricular changes, they will engage in training thatcovers key concepts like persuasive communications, project management, and agile strategicplanning. They will begin to develop an
competence. Several casestudies are presented, highlighting student-led projects focused on small-scale PV system designand performance evaluations. The results indicate that students not only achieve higher levels oftechnical mastery but also exhibit improved creativity and innovation in problem-solving.Feedback from students suggests that PBL fosters practical readiness, essential for careers inphotovoltaic engineering. The paper concludes that PBL is an effective pedagogical model for PVsystems education, combining theoretical rigor with experiential learning to meet the needs of agrowing renewable energy industry.1. IntroductionThe transition to renewable energy sources has become a global priority, driven by the urgent needto meet growing
withclassical security concepts through simulations and cloud-based quantum hardware. Unlike con-ventional courses focused on quantum threats to cryptographic systems, EE-597 explores securitychallenges specific to quantum computing itself. We employ a mixed-methods evaluation usingpre- and post-surveys to assess student learning outcomes and engagement. Results indicate sig-nificant improvements in students’ understanding of quantum and hardware security, with strongpositive feedback on course structure and remote instruction (mean scores: 3.33–3.83 on a 4-pointscale). Additionally, students reported increased interest in careers in quantum computing and cy-bersecurity (M=3.67) and recognized the relevance of these skills to their future goals (M=3.5
in a common residence hall during the SBP tofoster unstructured community-building opportunities. For more details about Scholarrecruitment and the SBP, please see [10].Advising and Mentoring. Each Scholar was matched to a dedicated faculty advisor and meetregularly. They will continue meeting throughout their undergraduate careers. In addition,students will have the opportunity to connect with industry mentors starting their second year.Cohort-Based First-Year Seminar. All engineering students at Urban University are requiredto complete a FYE Seminar. The FYE Seminar is an 8-week course for students in a commonmajor, facilitated by two current students in at least their second year at Urban University. Thiscourse engages students in
. This allows them to get real hands-on experience, expand their network, and buildlasting friendships with fellow students, faculty members, and mentors, which could lead tofuture career opportunities. Additionally, these teams provide an ideal environment for studentsto learn and practice leadership skills. Project managers work with team members to create abudget plan, secure funding, manage finances, establish work schedules, train less-experiencedmembers, and coordinate with team officers, advisors, administrators, suppliers, and sponsors toobtain the necessary resources and successfully deliver the final product [1] - [2]. Since studentsvoluntarily join competition teams, this provides a unique opportunity for the study ofengineering
,engaging pedagogy could help students in all disciplines appreciate the courses and recognizethe sequence’s value to their education.This work-in-progress paper focuses on the Electrical Engineering and Circuits course within thesophomore sequence by outlining updates made to the course. These adjustments wereimplemented in a pilot section during the 2024-2025 academic year. Testimonials from non-electrical engineers in industry were presented at the beginning of class each day to helpstudents connect the course content with majors outside of electrical engineering and see howthe course can be beneficial in their careers. In addition, problem- and project-based learningactivities were added to the course.A survey assessing the students’ perceived
tools, the demand for highly skilled datascientists has also grown exponentially [1]. According to Indeed Career Guide, data sciencerelated jobs were on the list of top 20 jobs in the United States in 2023[2]. These highly skilledprofessionals are responsible for complex tasks and have a pivotal role in organizations. Theireffectiveness depends on technical skill, analytical proficiency and foundational understandingof all aspects related to the data science domain [1]. To meet the demand of training highlyskilled and specialized Data Science professionals, many colleges have revised their existingmajors to include Data Science related topics or created new Data Science related majors tofocus on providing the Data Science knowledge and skills
constructioneducation. Wang and Buckeridge [15] found that many programs lack a dedicated ethicscurriculum, often addressing ethical considerations superficially within broader managementcourses. Students frequently encounter a disconnect between theoretical ethical frameworks andthe complex, situational dilemmas they face during internships or early careers [16]. The lack ofemphasis on global and sustainability issues in ethics education further exacerbates this gap,leaving graduates ill-prepared for the challenges of an increasingly interconnected andenvironmentally conscious world [15]. Addressing these gaps requires a paradigm shift inconstruction education.ETHICS ACCREDITATION STANDARDS IN CONSTRUCTION EDUCATIONMost CEM programs in the United States are
initiative aligns with the broader benefits reported in theliterature for UREs.Unlike traditional UREs, this program integrates multiple high-impact practices that enhancestudent engagement, learning outcomes, and career preparedness. These practices include: • Industry Sponsorship and Mentorship: Students in the program benefit from direct collaboration with industry sponsors and mentors [1]. Students have aligned their projects with industry needs and priorities, providing students with the opportunity to work on critical, real-world problems. The program encourages the development of professional networks, enhancing students' collaboration and communication skills. • Vertically Integrated
points to the need to show students how products, such as wind turbines and solar panels, require knowledge of fluid and thermodynamic principles.Question 1c—Job Opportunities One of the most interesting observations pertains to the student response to Question 1b—From your perspective, what job opportunities exist with regard to fluids and thermodynamics? While many different career options were listed, no students listed careers in climate change or addressing global warming, sustainability or resiliency, for example.Question 2—Describe your experience with the thermodynamic courses. Here, the students noted how they have used thermodynamics to solve problems and develop resiliency in working through incorrect answers. Also, they
to directly assess EM [23–27].Some of the CUREs included activities for building research identity specifically, like sharing researchartifacts [4].Other common features included working alone or in small groups on a specific research task. Theresearch experiences were designed to be authentic, focused on helping faculty collect data or test newideas. Whenever possible, the research projects also had a tie to the community or existing regionalpartnerships since this type of collaboration has been shown to help students from underrepresentedgroups connect with careers. The research experiences were also very carefully scaffolded so studentswere tackling very small pieces of a larger research project.Survey DesignA pre-post survey was
Society Scholar. Dr. Henderson completed his Ph.D. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a graduate student, he was a NASA Harriet G. Jenkins Graduate Fellow and mentor for the Summer Research Opportunities Program. Dr. Henderson has dedicated his career to increasing the number of students who are in pathways to pursue STEM careers. He believes that exposing students to STEM early will have a lasting impact on their lives and academic pursuits. He co-founded the St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy (SEBA). SEBA is an educational intervention that introduces underrepresented and underserved fourth and fifth-grade students and their families to hands-on STEM
education.IntroductionThe integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into modernengineering practices has created an urgent need for engineers with AI/ML skills to tacklechallenges in automation, robotics, preventive maintenance, defect detection, system optimization,and beyond. This integration underscores the transformative potential of AI/ML in engineeringeducation, necessitating curriculum advancements to prepare students for the evolvingtechnological landscape [1]. This need is driven not only by industry demands but also by students,who increasingly see AI/ML expertise as vital for their future careers and expect opportunities toapply these skills in real-world engineering projects. Numerous national reports, including thoseby the
by an NSF CAREER award, an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, a Marion Milligan Mason award for women in the chemical sciences from AAAS, and a Ralph E. Powe Jr. Faculty Award from ORAU. For her teaching, Fullerton was awarded the 2018 James Pommersheim Award for Excellence in Teaching in Chemical Engineering at Pitt. For more information: http://fullertonlab.pitt.edu/Dr. G¨otz Veser, University of Pittsburgh ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Creating a Modularized Graduate Curriculum in Chemical EngineeringAbstractU.S. graduate engineering programs traditionally follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach that prioritizesresearch skills, is slow to adapt to industry trends
expected experiences [5]. Within the workplace,professionals use informal learning for continuing education, seeking help, gathering information,finding support or feedback, collaborating, and gaining further experience in both their career andprivate lives [24, 25]. However, despite research showing the benefits of informal learningopportunities, many individuals and organizations push for formal education over informal ormixed educational pathways [26].Informal Learning Informal education and opportunities in STEM help bridge the gap betweenformal education and real-world experiences and foster continuing education throughout a careerand beyond [27, 28]. Specifically within computer science education (CSEd), active learningtechniques like
Paper ID #47866BOARD #135: The 2TO4 Project - Facilitated Transition from 2-Year to4-Year Electrical and Computer Engineering Studies by Building Student/FacultyNetworks (WIP)Dr. Kenneth A Connor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Kenneth Connor is Program Officer at the Inclusive Engineering Consortium (IEC), whose mission is to enable MSI ECE programs to produce more and better prepared graduates from groups that have been historically underrepresented in ECE careers. He is also an emeritus professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering (ECSE) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where
careers and graduate school, and personal andprofessional gains.[3-6] For university and society benefits, undergraduate research has alsobeen linked to continuation in STEM and graduate programs with particular benefits for studentsunder-represented in those fields.[7-12]While the benefits of undergraduate research for students, university, and society have beendocumented, the benefits of undergraduate research for the mentors (graduate students, post-docs, and faculty) are less well-demonstrated and documented. Similarly, barriers for faculty toengage in undergraduate research practices are still being evaluated. Work by Hayward et al.examined researchers’ motivation and outcomes by career stage for undergraduate researchmentors.[13] Although
Institute and State University Dr. Vinod K. Lohani is a Professor of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech. He served as a Program Director in the Division of Graduate Education, NSF for 4 years (2020-24). In this capacity, he was deeply engaged with the NSF Research Traineeship (NRT), Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) and CAREER programs and also participated in several NSF-wide working groups on semiconductors and quantum information science and engineering (QISE).Dr. Manoj K Jha P.E., North Carolina A&T State University Dr. Manoj K Jha is an associate professor in the Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering department at the North Carolina A&T State University. His research interests include
engineering (IPE)and general engineering self-efficacy (GESE) (Table 2 for the specific items).Table 2. Engineering survey items Items Construct 1. I am committed to study hard in my engineering classes. IPE 2. I am determined to use my engineering knowledge in my future IPE career. 3. I plan to take a lot of engineering classes in high school. IPE 4. I can master the content in the engineering-related courses I am GESS taking this semester. 5. I can master the content
every spring semester since.One research-cited reason that collegiate students leave engineering is a lack of engineering-related experiences during the first year of the program. Conventional first-year engineeringcurricula require students to complete multiple gateway courses prior to beginning disciplinarycoursework. These courses oftentimes deal with abstract material with little perceivedengineering context. As a result, students end up believing that all engineering courses will besimilar, and some ultimately leave for other professional arenas where applications can beunderstood much earlier in academic career(s). A key motivating factor in developing ENGR 111was to augment student desire to persist in engineering degree pursuit, by
does not do enough to prepare students for their careers. Sorby expresses thisgoal of engineering education as follows: “It is time that we as educators take a long, critical look at ourvalues and curricula to ensure that we are preparing students for careers that exist today and for futurecareers” [2]. Sorby is aligned with many who believe that less emphasis on theory and more emphasis onspecific tools and problem-solving strategies would be more beneficial for career readiness.The Grinter Report should be commended for its willingness to ask difficult questions of itsrecommendations including the question of career readiness. When considering the broad curriculum itrecommends, the authors ask themselves: “would the employer be pleased with
complexity of problems solved, and the development of specificskills (e.g., prototyping, data analysis, experimental design) can be tracked. Additionally, studentself-assessments and faculty evaluations can provide qualitative insights into the development ofpractical and academic skills.Academic and professional impact are supported by defining clear roles and responsibilities forstudents at different academic levels, ensuring each student works on tasks aligned with theirexpertise. This approach helps students focus on developing career-specific competencies andcontributes to their progression toward graduation. Metrics for evaluating this outcome couldinclude the successful completion of assignments aligned with their academic level, the numberof
, workforce development, and student success initiatives. Dr. Gattis has secured and managed over $6.9 million in competitive NSF and ADHE grants, supporting student retention, innovation in STEM education, and workforce-aligned pathways. Her work focuses on increasing diversity, improving STEM career readiness, and strengthening industry collaboration.Dr. Stephen R. Addison, University of Central Arkansas Dr. Stephen R. Addison is a Professor of Physics and Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Addison joined the faculty of the University of Central Arkansas in 1984, and has previously served as Dean and Associate Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and
Degree in Engineering Program. While in college, he was a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, which afforded him the opportunity to intern at NASA Langley. He also earned distinction as a Phi Beta Kappa member and an American Chemical Society Scholar. Dr. Henderson completed his Ph.D. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a graduate student, he was a NASA Harriet G. Jenkins Graduate Fellow and mentor for the Summer Research Opportunities Program. Dr. Henderson has dedicated his career to increasing the number of students who are in pathways to pursue STEM careers. He believes that exposing students to STEM early will have a lasting impact on their lives and academic