Conference Session

Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation in STEM

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Emma Sophie Stine, University of Colorado Boulder; Tiera Tanksley, University of Colorado Boulder; Amy Javernick-Will, University of Colorado Boulder

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

findings reveal how institutional practices,programmatic approaches, and field assumptions can reinforce deficit-based thinking even asprograms strive to address global inequities. Specifically, we found that: (1) a lack of diversityin HE programs undermines students' sense of belonging and cultural worth, (2) an emphasis onhardships diminishes recognition of students’ assets, and (3) savior narratives perpetuate deficitviews of partner communities. However, our research also identifies transformative momentswhere programs recognized and built upon students' cultural wealth, suggesting pathways forinstitutional change. This research illuminates specific ways that deficit mindsets persist ineducational settings, while highlighting concrete

Conference Session

Lightning Talk - Empowering Students and Strengthening Community Relationships

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jose Manuel Fuentes-Cid, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile; Maria Elena Truyol, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

responsibilities.Keywords: service-based learning, social skills, social responsibility, engineering, communityengagement, professional developmentIntroductionService-Based Learning (SBL) has become a valuable educational approach, especiallywithin higher education in engineering. By combining academic learning with communityservice, SBL offers students the chance to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-worldsituations. This not only helps them acquire technical skills but also fosters the developmentof the social and personal skills needed to tackle the complex challenges of today’s society[1-3]. Recent research highlights that the implementation of SBL projects has proveneffective in enhancing academic performance and student retention, especially in fields

Conference Session

Lightning Talk - Empowering Students and Strengthening Community Relationships

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shoshanah Cohen, Stanford University

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

, attached to a cantilevered frame secured to a 135’ LMS irrigation pipe. In this paper, we present asummary of the students’ approach to managing expectations via detailed calculations, modeling, andscaled prototypes for a community partner whose vision included reliance on future infrastructure to beused in a novel and unexpected way.IntroductionCommunity engaged learning (or service-learning) enhances student education by linking theory topractice and classrooms to communities [1][2]. Partnering with community organizations contextualizesengineering, broadens perspectives on who engineers can be and serve, and supports diverse studentretention, particularly for those motivated to create impact [3].Well-structured service-learning fosters deep

Conference Session

Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation in STEM

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daniel B Oerther P.E., Missouri University of Science and Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

programs approved by the engineering accreditationcommission of ABET include Criterion 3, “Student outcomes” [1]. Student outcome number oneincludes, “an ability to identify formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applyingprinciples of engineering, science and mathematics.” Student outcome number two includes, “anability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meets specified, needs withconsideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social,environmental and economic factors” As previously reported, we developed and delivered asemester long course in environmental modeling to upper level undergraduates, as well asgraduate students enrolled in the programs of civil architectural and

Conference Session

Lightning Talk - "Innovating for Impact: Community-Engaged Education, Technology, and Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Pierre Rahme, Lebanese American University; George E Nasr, Lebanese American University; Abbas A. Tarhini, Lebanese American University; Michel Elkhoury, Lebanese American University; Evan Fakhoury, Lebanese American University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

transformative framework in higher education by integrating research and teaching,fostering deep engagement, and creating dynamic learning environments.As universities face increasing complexity and global competition, the VIP model provides a solution thatshifts from traditional knowledge transmission to more interactive, research-oriented approaches. Themodel aligns with global educational trends emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, experientiallearning, and entrepreneurial mindsets. The VIP framework enables students at various academic levelsto collaborate on research projects, bridging the gap between undergraduate education and facultyresearch and fostering interdisciplinary teamwork. Strachan et al. [1] emphasize that this continuous

Conference Session

Community and Industry Collaboration for Sustainable Development

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amanda R. Lowery, Vanderbilt University; Eric Spivey, Vanderbilt University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

Context for Children with motor-impairmentsbackgroundService-learning experiences provide a rich platform for students to refine their technical skillswhile addressing real-world challenges, particularly in the area of assistive technology forchildren with disabilities. Engineering students often seek practical, hands-on experiences thatnot only enhance their technical competencies but also connect them to impactful projects withintheir communities, thereby enriching the educational experience and fostering empathy amongfuture engineers [1-2]. Organizations such as Tikkun Olam Makers and Makers Making Changematch people with assistive technology needs with makers in the community. Student chaptersof these organizations have been established on

Conference Session

Lightning Talk - Empowering Students and Strengthening Community Relationships

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Juan C. Lucena, Colorado School of Mines

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

locally led development: Methods and strategies for Colombia and beyond.AbstractPart of the movement represented by Engineering for Change (E4C) and Engineering to Help(ETH) [1], humanitarian engineering (HE) education programs have grown in the US for morethan 20 years and exist in different forms such as majors, minors, certificates, courses, projects,field trips, study abroad opportunities, EWB-type volunteering activities, and graduate programs[2]. One of the most salient challenges that these programs face is avoiding colonizing andextractive practices by building relationships with communities and universities abroad that arelong-lasting, trusting, effective, reciprocal for all parties, and attentive to

Conference Session

STEM Education and Intercultural Competence

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mihwa Park, Texas Tech University; Bernard Justus Wekullo, Texas Tech University

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

’ design thinking, interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering,mathematics) and architecture, and awareness of local issues, we organized a summer camp thatengaged local high school students in designing environmentally friendly, community-basedarchitectural installations. Given its integration of art, STEM, and social science, architectureprovides an interdisciplinary, human-centered context for learning [1]. Modern architecturepractices emphasize sustainability, well-being, and community engagement. Sustainablearchitecture aims to minimize environmental impact throughout a building’s lifecycle, fromconstruction to operation [2]. This involves reducing embodied energy, optimizing resource use,and addressing environmental concerns such as

Conference Session

STEM Education and Intercultural Competence

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Leanne Petry, Central State University; Kenya Crosson, University of Dayton; Margaret Pinnell, Air Force Institute of Technology; Melissa Karlin, St. Mary's University; Ramanitharan Kandiah, Central State University; Krishnakumar V. Nedunuri, Central State University; Kaitlin Hill, St. Mary's University; Corinne Mowrey, University of Dayton; Kellie Schneider, The Foodbank, Inc. (Dayton, OH); Elizabeth Generas, Wright State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

, and opportunity for all in fostering successful community partnershipsand addressing environmental issues such as biodegradation, solid waste management, andpollution prevention. Activities focused on complex social issues surrounding food insecurityand availability of healthy food in urban communities as well as successful citizen reentry fromprison into communities will also be discussed.IntroductionIn 2020, Bret Eynon and Jonathan Iuzzini published an ATD Teaching and Learning Toolkitwith Achieving the Dream [1] that presents a body of work that was developed from the NewLearning Compact Framework in 2019 by Every Learner Everywhere [2] with the intent offostering a culture of teaching and learning excellence designed to enhance student

Conference Session

Engagement in Practice: Bridging Engineering Education and Community Impact through Collaborative Design and Construction

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Katie Zoe Loughmiller, Kansas State University

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

skills, and a great abilityto apply knowledge from coursework to real-world challenges [1], [2]. Community engagementhas also been shown to improve professional skills, such as teamwork and leadership [3]. Inaddition to the benefits to students involved in community engagement projects, the communityalso benefits from increased social capital, sharing of resources and knowledge, and connectinghigh education to community interests [4].The implementation of community engagement programs within engineering programs can takedifferent forms. University programs can be implemented at a large scale, similar to theEngineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program that originated at PurdueUniversity and has expanded to a large network of

Conference Session

STEM Education and Intercultural Competence

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andrey Nikolaev, Stevens Institute of Technology (School of Engineering and Science); Emily L Atieh, Stevens Institute of Technology; Jan Cannizzo, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

informal, collegial setting. There is nouniversally accepted definition of what constitutes a math circle; indeed, as Saul [1] puts it, “Anysituation in which people are exploring mathematics for its own sake, —for the sake of their ownenjoyment of the subject, —may be termed a math circle.” Math circles aim to exposeparticipants to authentic mathematical problem-solving and discovery, and to foster conceptualunderstanding and an enjoyment of mathematics. They have a long history going back to EasternEurope, where they were a means for professional mathematicians to share their knowledge andlove of mathematics with young students [2]. They gained some popularity in the United Statesbeginning in the 1990s [2], and although the literature on math

Conference Session

Engagement in Practice: Bridging Engineering Education and Community Impact through Collaborative Design and Construction

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sally Njoki Kimani, Tumaini Innovation Center ; Mary Wambui Muigai BSc. (Information Technology) – Ongoing, Tumaini Innovation Center; Claudia Chebet Chemweno, Tumaini Innovation Center; Dhinesh Balaji Radhakrishnan, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PWL) (COE); Nrupaja Bhide, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PPI); Jennifer Deboer, Purdue University – West Lafayette (College of Engineering)

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

University. Her research focuses on international education systems, individual and social development, technology use and STEM learning, and educational environments for ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025(Engagement in practice): Collaborative Reflection on Evolution of an Engineering Community of PracticeAbstractCommunity-engaged practices must prioritize reciprocity [1] in university-community engagement, by centering thewants and needs of the community, as identified by the community themself. In this paper, we highlight thedevelopment and evolution of a Community of Practice, emphasizing the role of community members as experts inassessing their own community needs and developing solutions to

Conference Session

Lightning Talk - "Innovating for Impact: Community-Engaged Education, Technology, and Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Polly Parkinson, Utah State University; Emma Mecham, Utah State University; Fawn Groves, Utah State University; Ivonne Santiago, University of Texas at El Paso; Amy Wilson-Lopez, Utah State University - Engineering Education

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE). She is deeply committed to advancing equity, particularly in providing access to safe drinking water and promoting clean transportation solutions as catalysts for social mobility. Through her work, she actively advocates for these causes and engages her students in hands-on learning experiences at local, regional, and international levels. Dr. Santiago’s expertise spans four key areas: 1. Equity and Environmental Impacts of Clean Transportation and Electrified Infrastructure: Dr. Santiago ensures that the voices of community partners are heard and incorporated in decisions regarding the placement of electrified infrastructure. Her work includes modeling greenhouse gas

Conference Session

Lightning Talk - "Innovating for Impact: Community-Engaged Education, Technology, and Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Patrick J Sours, The Ohio State University; Monroe Weber-Shirk, Cornell University; William H Pennock, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Cherish C. Vance, The Ohio State University; Margaret Gottfried, The Ohio State University

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

andsanitation for all,” yet millions of people still lack reliable access to safe drinking water. [1]Addressing this challenge requires not only technological solutions but also strong, equitablepartnerships that bridge academia, nonprofits, government entities, and local communities.The Research, Innovate, Design, and Empower (RIDE) Ecosystem is a collaborative model thatfosters long-term, sustainable impact through interdisciplinary partnerships. This ecosystemintegrates academic research with real-world implementation, creating opportunities for studentsto apply engineering principles while working alongside community stakeholders and nonprofitorganizations. Unlike traditional service-learning approaches, which can often inadvertentlyprioritize

Conference Session

STEM Education and Intercultural Competence

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cherish C. Vance, The Ohio State University; Patrick J Sours, The Ohio State University; xinquan Jiang, The Ohio State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

beingaccepted, valued, and included within a community, has been widely recognized as a criticalfactor influencing student success, retention, and overall well-being in higher education [1], [2].While previous research has highlighted the importance of orientation workshops, extracurricularactivities, and peer support in enhancing SOB [3], [4] limited studies have explored the role offaculty, particularly those trained in intercultural competency, in cultivating an inclusiveclassroom environment. Intercultural competency is a multifaceted construct involving theability to communicate effectively, demonstrate empathy, and adapt behavior across cultures. Itencompasses key dimensions such as openness, curiosity, empathy, communication, andadaptability

Conference Session

Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation in STEM

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nina D Miville, University of Miami

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

“to advance the human condition and thus serve society” [1]. Engineers are in ourevery day lives from the homes we live in, the technology we use daily and the healthcare weengage in. The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) has developed a code ofethics for engineers to follow. As part of the code of ethics, NSPE Code of Ethics, afundamental canon is to “hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public [2].” Inorder to satisfy or abide by this canon, I propose that engineering students must be civicallyengaged and as such it should be embedded into the engineering curriculum.Civic Engagement in Engineering“Civic Engagement involves working to make a difference in the civic life of one’s communityand developing the

Conference Session

Lightning Talk - Empowering Students and Strengthening Community Relationships

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Omar McFarlane Sweeney, University of Florida; Fazil T. Najafi, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

success of thecommunity-developed water supply system project, through the ingenuity of engineers,community support, and grant resources, presents a model that the analysis will show as anoutcome, a solution that will benefit the community and align with a course of study for tertiaryeducation.BackgroundWater is essential for life, and the United Nations recognizes its access as a human right [1].Marginalized groups are disadvantaged by not having access to the precious commodity. Anestablished water authority with the requisite technology and expertise can assist conventionalpractices for developing water supply, which will include the operation and maintenance of thesystem. Worldwide, the aim is to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs

Conference Session

Community and Industry Collaboration for Sustainable Development

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carol L Considine, Old Dominion University; Mujde Erten-Unal, Old Dominion University; Dalya Ismael, Old Dominion University; Luka Alandra Hamel-Serenity, Hampton University; Farzaneh Soflaei, Hampton University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

solutions developed as part of the CCDC Southside project for theOakleaf Forest Community.The Olde Huntersville Empowerment Coalition has collaborated with faculty from the Institutefor Coastal Adaptation and Hanbury Architects to submit two EPA Thriving Community Grantsusing design solutions from the 2017-2018 academic year of the CCDC. These proposals are aTier 2 Connecting Streets Proposal and a Tier 3 Empowerment Center and Urban Garden.3.0 Case Study Southside Norfolk3.1 Understanding the communitySouthside Norfolk, an environmental justice community, comprises the neighborhoods ofBerkley, Campostella, Campostella Heights, Oakleaf Forest, and Diggs Town in Norfolk,Virginia (Figure 1). This community faces systemic challenges rooted in both

Conference Session

Community and Industry Collaboration for Sustainable Development

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jasmine N Patel, Georgia Institute of Technology; Nathan W. Hartman, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PWL) (COE); Alisa Deck; Roxanne A. Moore Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

andregions. While this reshuffling has affected all industry sectors, the manufacturing/durable goodssector is still experiencing a resignation rate of approximately 1.4% [1]. A more pressing concernis the overall workforce participation rate. Ferguson and Hoover report that the workforce stilllacks approximately 1.4 million participants compared to the pre-pandemic levels. In otherwords, even if every qualified person filled an open position, the workforce would still fall short.Despite the manufacturing/durable goods sector post-pandemic recovery, over 600,000 positionsremain unfilled as of January 2024 [1] - a figure many believe is significantly underestimated.Although there are many reasons why individuals have recently left their jobs or

Conference Session

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG) Poster Session

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Emily Wonnacott-Stanley, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

, encouraging students to consider howdesigns and technologies meet human needs. This emphasis on empathy empowered studentsto see themselves as problem-solvers capable of making a difference in their communities.For many, the program was their first introduction to engineering, sparking new careeraspirations and showing them that STEM is not only accessible but also an exciting avenue forcreativity and innovation.A Brief Outline of the ActivitiesWeek 1: Electrical Circuits and Electrical EngineeringActivity: Students built simple circuits using batteries, wires, and light bulbs.Purpose: This activity introduced the basics of electricity and the role of electrical engineers indesigning the systems that power our modern lives. It helped students

Conference Session

Lightning Talk - "Innovating for Impact: Community-Engaged Education, Technology, and Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Abigail Clark, Ohio Northern University; Rachel Louis Kajfez, The Ohio State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

virtual or hybrid environment.The recommendations developed from this study include: 1.) Carefully craft your learningenvironment for participant success, 2.) Be flexible and adapt activities as needed, 3.) Create asupportive environment where struggle and failure are okay and 4.) Leverage your network todevelop relationships with organizations you wish to partner with. These recommendations canbe used to support engineering educators as they seek to transition historically in-person informalSTEM experiences into virtual experiences and create new virtual experiences to broaderparticipation. Virtual experiences can help expand access to engineering by creating programswhich are accessible to participants who do not have these types of experiences

Conference Session

Community and Industry Collaboration for Sustainable Development

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angela R Bielefeldt, University of Colorado Boulder

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Community Engagement Division (COMMENG)

that they are active participants and partners with scientists. Recent discussionsof CER are explicit in recognizing a continuum of engagement [1],[2]. CER is an umbrella ideaunder which more defined sub-types are found including community-based participatoryresearch (CBPR) [3]. A rough conceptual idea of forms of academic engagement withcommunities is shown in Figure 1, where areas within the gray box represent different forms andintensity of engagement. The activities located closer to the right side of the box represent moreleadership and agency by communities and therefore may be more likely to meet their goals. Figure 1. Examples of different