Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

chen pan, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Thuy Khanh Nguyen, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Chunjiang Qian, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Paper ID #49520EZ-RA: Enhancing Research Access for Career-Ready Success of UndergraduatesDr. chen pan, The University of Texas at San Antonio Dr. Pan is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and directs the Resilient, Intelligent, and Sustainable Embedded Computing and Networking (RISE) Lab. Dr. Pan brings extensive teaching experience in computer architecture, embedded systems, data communication and networking, AI hardware, and programming, with a focus on preparing students for real-world applications and career success

Collection

2025 Northeast Section Conference

Authors

Lina H. Kloub, University of Connecticut; Christina Smith, University of Connecticut; Faiyhaa-Sydra Saulat, University of Connecticut

Enhancing Career Readiness Skills for Engineering Students with Artificial Intelligence Lina H. Kloub Christina Smith Faiyhaa-Sydra Saulat School of Computing School of Computing School of Computing University of Connecticut University of Connecticut University of Connecticut Storrs, CT, USA Storrs, CT, USA Storrs, CT, USA Abstract—Career readiness is a vital aspect of engineering mon goals. These three competencies not only help studentseducation, aligning with the National Association of

Conference Session

Track 2: Technical Session 2: Bridging Futures Takes a Village: A Pre-College Collaborative Education and Research Approach to Broaden Participation of Underrepresented Population in STEM Career Pathways

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Olgha Bassam Qaqish, North Carolina State University at Raleigh; Chloe Hincher, North Carolina State University at Raleigh; Veronica Mbaneme, North Carolina State University; Sarah Olivia Harris, North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

Paper ID #45210Bridging Futures Takes a Village: A Pre-College Collaborative Educationand Research Approach to Broaden Participation of Underrepresented Populationin STEM Career PathwaysDr. Olgha Bassam Qaqish, North Carolina State University at Raleigh Olgha Bassam Qaqish, Ph.D. is a prominent figure in engineering education and research, currently serving as the director of the Engineering Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) at NC State University. With a diverse background encompassing education, research, mentorship, and innovation. Dr. Qaqish is a driving force in shaping the academic landscape. She holds a

Conference Session

Track 4: Technical Session 1: Report of a Survey of Early Career Latinx Engineers: Trends across 3 Years in Perceptions of the Workplace, Social Cognitions, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intentions

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Lisa Y Flores, University of Missouri - Columbia; Rachel L Navarro, University of North Dakota; Jinkoo Lee, University of Missouri - Columbia; Bo Hyun Lee, The Ohio State University; Han Na Suh, Georgia State University - Perimeter College; Sarah Lynn Orton P.E., University of Missouri - Columbia; Pat Garriott

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

Paper ID #45198Report of a Survey of Early Career Latinx Engineers: Trends across 3 Yearsin Perceptions of the Workplace, Social Cognitions, Job Satisfaction, andTurnover IntentionsDr. Lisa Y Flores, University of Missouri - Columbia Lisa Y. Flores, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri. She has expertise in the career development of Latinx and Latinx immigrant issues and has over 100 peer reviewed journal publications, 19 book chapters, and 3 co-edited books.Dr. Rachel L Navarro, University of North Dakota Rachel L. Navarro, Ph.D. is Professor of Counseling Psychology and Associate

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Chinedu Okonkwo, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Roy Uzoma Lan; Ibukun Gabriel Awolusi, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Jiannan Cai

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Session XXXX Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Construction Education: Assessing the Impact on Students’ Perception of Knowledge, Confidence, and Relevance to Career Chinedu Okonkwo, Roy Lan, Ibukun Awolusi, Ph.D., and Jiannan Cai, Ph.D. School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management The University of Texas at San Antonio AbstractIn technical and professional disciplines such as construction, the importance of creating andimplementing positive improvements in the educational curriculum to meet the dynamic andcomplex needs of the world cannot be overemphasized. There is a rising need

Collection

2025 ASEE North Central Section (NCS) Annual Conference

Authors

Sudipta Chowdhury, Marshall University; Ammar Alzarrad, Marshall University; Sungmin Youn, University of Texas at El Paso

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Paper ID #49561Evaluating the Impact of a Summer NSF REU Program on UndergraduateStudents’ STEM Career Aspirations and Educational Goals: A Case StudyDr. Sudipta Chowdhury, Marshall University Sudipta Chowdhury is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in Marshall University. His area of research includes Critical Infrastructure Resilience, Disaster Restoration Planning, Supply Chain and Logistics, and formal and informal STEM Education. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and multiple conference proceedings. He serves as a reviewer of multiple journals such

Collection

2025 ASEE North Central Section (NCS) Annual Conference

Authors

Baqer Aljabr, The University of Toledo; Mohammad Elahinia, The University of Toledo

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Paper ID #49481Impact of Automation, Robots, and Coding Clubs on the Career Choices ofMarginalized Students in STEM FieldsMr. Baqer Aljabr, The University of Toledo https://sites.google.com/view/baqeraljabr/home?authuser=2Mr. Mohammad Elahinia, The University of Toledo Mohammad Elahinia is Professor and Chair of Mechanical Industrial and Manufacgturing Engineering Department at the University of Toledo. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025Impact of Automation, Robots, and Coding Clubs on the Career Choices of Marginalized Students in STEM FieldsTable of Contents1

Conference Session

CANCELLED: Track 6: Technical Session 1: A Student-Centered, Theory-Informed, Integrated Model to Academic and Career Advising to Educate the Whole Engineer: Transforming Engineering Education and Broadening Participation in Engineering is Possible!

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Olga Pierrakos, Wake Forest University; Melissa C Kenny, Wake Forest University

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

ranked academic unit at Wake Forest University. Olga is a national thought leader in higher education and engineering education. She is a biomedical and mechanical engineer as well as an STEM education researcher.Dr. Melissa C Kenny, Wake Forest University Dr. Melissa C Kenny is an assistant teaching professor in the department of Engineering at Wake Forest University. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Transforming Engineering Education Through an Integrated Academic and Career Advising Model: A Theory-Informed Model for Educating the Whole Engineer at Wake Forest EngineeringABSTRACT - Higher education faces mounting criticism regarding cost, job preparation,curriculum

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Araceli Martinez Ortiz, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Gabriela Gomez, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Patricia Rodriguez Ann Rodriguez, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Patricia Rodriguez The University of Texas at San Antonio AbstractExamining changes in confidence, identity, and attitudes toward science, technology, engineering,and mathematics (STEM) careers among Latina/o middle and high school students who are at-riskand low-income is essential for promoting equitable educational opportunities. Conducting thoroughdata collection from community-based STEM programs helps us understand these changes and canguide targeted interventions that empower students in their academic journeys.This quantitative study investigates the effects of an intensive summer pre-engineering programtailored for middle and high school students in a large urban

Collection

2025 Northeast Section Conference

Authors

Shinae Jang P.E.

prepare students for future and reinforce professional behaviors during a crucial stage ofemployment and lifelong learning. The career readiness their education.competencies, as identified by the National Association ofColleges and Employers (NACE), encompass key skills such ascommunication, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, II. BACKGROUNDprofessionalism, technology, equity and inclusion, and career andself-development. While first-year design and senior capstone The Statics course is a fundamental requirement forcourses often emphasize professionalism, there is a notable gap in students in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, and Biomedicalsuch education for

Conference Session

Track 2: Technical Session 5: From Barriers to Bridges: The GEES Program's Impact on Low-Income Master's Students' Success and Professional Development

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Ximing Li, University of Pittsburgh; Sylvanus N. Wosu, University of Pittsburgh; Keith Trahan, University of Pittsburgh; Tagbo Herman Roland Niepa, Carnegie Mellon University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

, 2025 From Barriers to Bridges: The GEES Program’s Impact on Low- Income Master’s Students’ Success and Professional DevelopmentIn the United States, innovation development and economic growth have been influenced bycontributions made by STEM professionals to a great extent. Universities aim to offerstudents in STEM programs career preparedness by imparting knowledge and necessarytraining in specialized skills. However, it should be acknowledged that not all students haveequal opportunities for the study of STEM. Students from low-income and underrepresentedbackgrounds often face additional challenges, which consequently limit their academicpursuits

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Collection

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Authors

Saeed Rokooei, Mississippi State University; George D Ford P.E., Mississippi State University; Read Allen Robertson, Mississippi State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity, Professional Papers

, more women are currently encouraged topursue construction as their professional fields. This study examines potential associationsbetween gender and students' motivations for joining the construction program, the obstaclesthey encounter, their expectations, and their future career plans. Data from all first, second, andthird-year students in the Building Construction Science (BCS) program at Mississippi StateUniversity were collected using a quantitative survey. The survey covered different aspects ofstudents’ experiences and decisions. The results showed that both male and female students wereattracted to the program because of job opportunities, relatively high salary, and the challengingnature of the program. However, there were some clear

Conference Session

Track 5: Technical Session 3: Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion for First-Generation Students: A First Year Seminar Course Approach

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Alandra Kahl, Pennsylvania State University, Greater Allegheny

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

during orientation week.• Students shared stories about their cultural heritage.• Open discussion on how cultural heritage shaped educational experiences.• Fostered a sense of community and belonging.CAREER READINESSHands-on projects and activities.Exploring different career paths.Developing professional skills.Connecting with industry professionals. EXAMPLE OF HANDS-ON PROJECTProject: Mock Business Activity: Industry Job Startup. Shadowing Day.Mock BusinessStartup ProjectOverview• Market Research: Analyzed industry trends, customer needs, and competition.• Business Strategy: Developed value proposition, target markets, and marketing plan.• Financial Planning: Created budgets, forecasted

Collection

2025 ASEE North Central Section (NCS) Annual Conference

Authors

Diane L Peters P.E., Kettering University

106 138 77% 2023 71 105 68% 2024 79 121 65%Inductive coding was used to analyze the questions students asked, and common questions andthemes were noted.FindingsFive categories of responses emerged from the coding. These categories are: • Questions about professor’s past industry experiences • Questions about professor’s current teaching career • Questions about professor’s general career and life pathway • Questions about the specific course and its operation • Questions about hobbies and personal interestsSome questions did not fit into any of these categories, and did not

Conference Session

Track 1: Technical Session 4: "An examination of the gender gap among Middle Eastern students in Engineering: A systematized review"

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Narjes Khorsandi Koujel, Rowan University; Justin Charles Major, Rowan University

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

mostimportant of which is gender discrimination. This gender discrimination appears in this disciplinein various aspects, such as the misrepresentation of women's role in society, cultural and socialrestrictions, political and legal restrictions, and a lack of access to educational resources, facilities,suitable job opportunities for women in engineering fields, and role models [15].Although measures have been taken to reduce the gender gap, one of the most important impactsin this regard is the creation of policies aimed at creating equal educational and career opportunitiesfor women in engineering. In addition, programs such as raising awareness and studies on theexisting gender gap, promoting women's roles in science and technology, and motivating

Conference Session

Track 7: Technical Session 3: Latine STEM Doctoral Students' Perceptions Regarding Doctoral Mentoring Relationships - A Qualitative Study

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Dilara Yaya-Bryson Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Lisa R Merriweather, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

their education and career paths. Withinthe frame of this study, contextual factors refer to mentoring relationships with faculty. Theresearch team interviewed seven Latine STEM doctoral students individually to understand theirperceptions and experiences regarding doctoral mentoring and relationships. Data collectionoccurred between Fall 2018 and Spring 2021 in two historically white institutions (HWI) and ahistorically Black college and university (HBCU) in the southeastern region of the US as part ofa larger study. The interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis(IPA). IPA revealed three themes, describing Latine STEM doctoral students’ perceptionsaround (1) social-emotional needs in day-to-day interactions with

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Collection

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Authors

Kimberly A Luthi, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide; MICHAEL KOSLOSKI, Old Dominion University; Bettina Mrusek, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide

Tagged Topics

Diversity, Professional Papers

©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Navigating Pathways: Qualitative Insights into Personal and ProfessionalTrajectories of Non-Traditional Groups across Engineering-Related Academic DisciplinesAbstractThis paper examines structural support systems that lead to the advancement and hindrancefactors that have potential to catalyze the career acceleration of non-traditional groups,specifically women in engineering and STEM academic pathways in aerospace relateddisciplines. Through a consensus-building approach, the aggregated perceptions of 17 Delphipanelists provided insight into best practices to support a diverse and equitable pipeline ofleaders based on nine factors supporting advancement and three

Collection

2025 Northeast Section Conference

Authors

Karissa Tilbury; Mohamad Musavi; Cary James; Alex Friess

- rates suggesting that rural and income-based pressures arestructured but encourage students to share their own compounding in this student population. To address theseexperiences. Topics to date have included: 1) Study Skills and pressures, the Building Bridges to Engineering StudentSelf-Reflection, 2) Goal Setting and Individual Development (BBEST) team seeks to create a targeted, personal approach toPlanning, 3) Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 4) counteract the social and financial pressures associated with theUndergraduate Research Experiences, and 5) Career perceptions of technology and advanced degrees in theirPreparation. The mentorship team consists of the associate

Collection

2025 ASEE North Central Section (NCS) Annual Conference

Authors

Elin Jensen, Lawrence Technological University; Taylor Warstler; Donald D. Carpenter P.E., Lawrence Technological University; Alyssa Taube; Lynne Seymour

Tagged Topics

Diversity

University where he teaches courses on ethics/professionalism and water resources. Dr. Carpenter has served as the University Director of Assessment and theAlyssa TaubeLynne Seymour ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Collaborative Outreach to Inspire Interest in Civil and Environmental Engineering Through Stormwater Design using Best Management PracticesAbstractThis paper presents an engaging activity developed for the outreach event Blue Planet Jobs:Careers in Water, hosted by the nonprofit organization Pure Oakland Water (POW).Approximately 250 high school students participating in career readiness programs exploredopportunities in various water

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Collection

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Authors

Hai T Ho, Kennesaw State University; Scott J. Tippens, Kennesaw State University

Tagged Topics

Professional Papers

program inspired by corporate practices,tailored to first-year CPE students. Grounded in SIT and SDT, the program combines academic,social, and professional development components to address student needs holistically [5], [6].By integrating mentorship, industry engagement, and structured support systems, the programaligns academic success with career readiness.Theoretical FrameworkSocial Identity Theory (SIT)SIT posits that individuals derive self-esteem and identity from group membership. Within thecontext of our CPE program, fostering a sense of belonging within the CPE community cansignificantly improve student engagement and retention [7]. A strong group identity helpsstudents overcome challenges and feel connected to their peers, faculty

Conference Session

Track 5: Technical Session 1: Evaluating the five pillars of a Summer Bridge Program and their influence on participants' intentions to complete an engineering degree

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Lorena Benavides-Riano, Mississippi State University; Mahnas Jean Mohammadi-Aragh, Mississippi State University

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

State University. Through her interdependent roles in research, teaching, and service, Jean is actively breaking down academic and social barriers to foster an environment where diverse and creative people are successful in the pursuit of engineering and computing degrees. Jean’s efforts have been recognized with numerous awards including the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development award, the American Society for Engineering Education John A. Curtis Lecturer award, and the Bagley College of Engineering Service award. Jean earned her B.S. and M.S. in computer engineering from Mississippi State University, and her Ph.D. in engineering education from Virginia Tech

Conference Session

Track 3: Technical Session 5: Work In Progress: Understanding Servingness for Minoritized Students in Introductory Computing Courses at a Hispanic Serving Community College

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Sarah L Rodriguez, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Antarjot Kaur, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Paul Charles Bigby Jr., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Taylor Johnson, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

interdisciplinary research projects focused on institutional environments and STEM identity development are sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Kapor Center. In recent years, she was selected as an Early Career Awardee and Faculty Fellow with the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) and a NASPA Emerging Faculty Leader. She also received the Barbara Townsend Early Career Scholar Award by the Council for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC) and gave the distinguished ASHE-CAHEP Barbara Townsend Lecture. To learn more about her current projects, visit http://sarahlrodriguez.com/Antarjot Kaur, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Antarjot Kaur is currently a Ph.D

Conference Session

Track 2: Technical Session 3: Piloting A Personalized Learning Model for Chemical Engineering Graduate Education: Lessons Learned from Creating a Chemical Engineering Body of Knowledge

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

April Dukes, University of Pittsburgh; Mary E. Besterfield-Sacre, University of Pittsburgh; Susan K Fullerton Shirey, University of Pittsburgh

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2020. Fullerton’s work has been recognized 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/ ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Piloting A Personalized Learning Model for Chemical Engineering Graduate Education – Lessons Learned from Creating a Chemical Engineering Body of KnowledgeApril Dukes | Mary Besterfield-Sacre

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Collection

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Authors

Kimberly T. Luthi, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide; David Paul Harvie, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide; John K Wilson, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide; Monica Surrency, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide

Tagged Topics

Diversity, Professional Papers

responses of undergraduate students who participated in peer led learningactivities in online courses [8]. The responses center on how the students felt most supported intheir courses as well as how they felt supported in their academic and career goals.One of the goals of this research is to measure the impact of peer learning on the persistence ofVeteran and active military student population in engineering pathways. At Embry-RiddleAeronautical University-Worldwide Campus over 54% of the student population is activemilitary or Veterans. The research was conducted in foundational undergraduate courses thathistorically have higher attrition rates and present the largest barriers to students’ persistence andsuccess in their degree progression. The

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Nathan Jackson, University of New Mexico; Pil Kang, University of New Mexico

ASEE-GSW in 2022, and is an NSF Career Awardee in EPMD on Energy Harvesting. He has more than 120 journal publications and over 20 patents.Dr. Pil Kang, University of New Mexico Sung aˆ CœPilˆa C Kang is an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico. His academic interests include change management, change model validation, and mindset evolution. He may be reached at pilkang@unm.edu ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 1 Session XXXX Development of a Novel Graduate Pedagogy to Enhance Job Readiness in Semiconductor Education Based on Role

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Raj Desai, Midwestern State University

the collegiate setting,building their STEM identities through meeting and interacting with future professors and peers thatmay have similar career goals, allowing them to effectively create and integrate into a supportive Proceedings of the 2025 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX Copyright  2025, American Society for Engineering Education 2community system have shown that participants in these programs are twice as likely to persist andsucceed in STEM degree programs. During these programs, students are given the resources tobegin to learn how to successfully

Collection

2025 Northeast Section Conference

Authors

Terri A. Camesano; Elizabeth Wilson; Valerie Smedile Rifkin

economy [1]. The need for lifelongabout how to scale up and further support the AC market. This learning and training opportunities is growing as employeespaper explores the structure, impact, and lessons learned from find ways to adapt and respond to the rapidly changingthis initiative, highlighting its potential for improving workforce industrial landscape. Dede and Richards discuss the need for adevelopment, corporate training, and career progression. The “60 year curriculum,” in which higher education must shift topaper also examines challenges such as audience identification, serve the needs of students over the course of their lives [2].pricing models, and marketing strategies, providing insights into

Conference Session

Track 2: Technical Session 4: Research- and Practice-Informed Insights for Recognizing Rurality in Engineering Education

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Malle R Schilling, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Jacob R Grohs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

NSF CAREER grant and reallyinspired my own research which seeks to connect rural education andengineering education through a specific focus on partnership and engagement.So we’re coming to this paper from a lens informed by research and practice, andI’m also a rural student, so I’m excited I get to be here to talk to you all moreabout this today. 3 4 (HOLD FOR AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT) What is rural? • Question 1: What most aligns with your current job/role? • Research, outreach and engagement, practice, policy

Conference Session

Track 7: Technical Session 1: Agriculture & Nutrition for Girls While Encouraging Leadership & Stem-Enrichment (ANGELS) Program

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Sandra C Affare, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Marissa McElrone, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Rachelle Pedersen, Texas Tech University

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

Tennessee-Knoxville. Dr. Affare served as a Project Engineer and Project Manager at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) where she managed research and development projects for TVA’s Transmission Technologies and eventually became a Senior Compliance Analyst until retirement in July 2014. After retirement, Dr. Affare was a project management consultant in transportation and logistics for a few years until she began her second career in higher education. As an engineering professor, her research focuses on increasing the number of women in STEM with an emphasis in minorities in Engineering. Over the past 3 years at UTC, Dr. Affare has established the reputation as the go to person with respect to multidisciplinary and

Collection

2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference

Authors

Mengqi Monica Zhan, University of Texas at Arlington; Grace Ellen Brannon, The University of Texas at Arlington; Liwei Zhang, The University of Texas at Arlington; Frank K. Lu, The University of Texas at Arlington

Tagged Topics

Diversity

experiences expose students toaerospace research projects and help them build a supportive community of peers and mentors,which is critical for their persistence in graduate programs and/or careers. The impact of suchprograms extends beyond skill development, as they also play a crucial role in fostering self-efficacyand sense of belonging in the aerospace engineering community. This is particularly important giventhat URM students often face additional challenges, including imposter syndrome and a lack ofrepresentation among faculty and industry professionals [1]. Furthermore, the intersectionality ofmarginalization based on ethnicity and social class compounds the challenges faced by URMstudents, making it essential to consider multiple dimensions