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

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

, Maryland: ASEE Conferences, Jun. 2023.[2] L. Espinosa, “Pipelines and pathways: Women of color in undergraduate STEM majors and the college experiences that contribute to persistence.” Accessed: Aug. 26, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-13330-004[3] L. Foltz, S. Gannon, and S. Kirschmann, “Factors That Contribute to the Persistence of Minority Students in STEM Fields,” Plan. High. Educ. J., vol. 42, pp. 1–13, Sep. 2014.[4] S. Deitz and R. Henke, “Higher Education in Science and Engineering,” NSF - National Science Foundation. [Online]. Available: https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb202332/characteristics-of-s-e-degree-recipients#s-e-degrees-by -race-and-ethnicity[5] E. Lichtenberger and C. George

Conference Session

CANCELLED: Track 2: Technical Session 6: Exploring Gender Dynamics in Intercultural Competence Development through a Study Abroad Program

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Aparajita Jaiswal, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PPI); Sakhi Aggrawal, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PPI); Vidya Reddy Madana, Purdue University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

learning goals are met. In the context of studyabroad programs, this can help students to actively plan their cultural engagements, monitor theirinteractions and emotional responses [25], and evaluate the effectiveness of their new interactionin navigating cultural challenges and adjusting as needed in the host country.The interplay between metacognitive knowledge and regulation is crucial. As Veenman et al.[26] argue, effective learning requires both the awareness of one’s cognitive processes(knowledge) and the ability to control and adjust these processes (regulation). Therefore,combining metacognitive knowledge and metacognitive regulation forms an effective frameworkfor understanding how students develop intercultural competence. Metacognitive

Conference Session

Track 1: Technical Session 5: Motivations for Engineering Faculty Engagement in an Inclusive Pedagogy Program

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Renee M. Desing, University of Washington; Joyce Yen, University of Washington; Karen Thomas-Brown, University of Washington

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

strengthen her leadership skills so that she can bettersupport her students’ future success, while Yvonne discusses her plan to restructure the focus ofher course to focus on problem-solving skills rather than technical skills explicitly. Through my work with my students really showing up for them and really supporting their learning journey with us…So I want to make sure that when my students are with us, that we are doing our level best to graduate leaders and world citizens. And in order to do that, I’ve got to be the best leader I can be. And I’ve got to understand. What does it take? What is required to be a great global citizen? What does that mean in terms of my country, in terms of my state, in terms of my

Conference Session

CANCELLED: Track 5: Technical Session 6: Think-Aloud Insights: Exploring QuantCrit Challenges and Diverse Survey Responses Among Undergraduate Engineering Students

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Sheila Kathryn Castro, University of Florida; Bruce Frederick Carroll, University of Florida; Janice Mejía, Northwestern University; Kent J. Crippen, University of Florida

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

hype myself up, but just like assure myself and like plan it and like Okay, “here's what I'm gonna say” like in my head.Megan’s recognition of the importance of fostering a relationship with her professors and difficultyapproaching them echoes the responses of the other participants, like Elena and Charlie, whodescribe feeling too shy to approach their professors during office hours. On the contrary, Abrahamemphasized his disposition to approach professors without hesitation, jokingly stating, “I just, like,ask. Yeah. Like, what are they going to do? We can fight if they don't like me. [Laughs].”Despite how the obstacle to approach faculty was described, participants leveraged theirlinguistic and aspirational capital to help them initiate

Conference Session

CANCELLED: Track 4: Technical Session 2: Examining Gender Differences in Engineering Students' Reflections on Combating Systemic Racism

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Sakhi Aggrawal, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PPI); Aparajita Jaiswal, Purdue University at West Lafayette (PPI); Gaurav Nanda, Purdue University at West Lafayette (COE); Saloni Parkar

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

course. As part of the course, students completed a 90-minute online module introducing the principles of social justice and the realities of hostiledesign in urban planning and reflected on how they plan to combat systemic racism in their ownlives, workplaces, and communities. These written reflections were analyzed qualitatively,coding for common themes and noteworthy differences across genders. Gender Schema Theorywas applied as an analytical framework to interpret the findings.Results: The analysis revealed both similarities and differences in how male and femaleengineering students reflected on their roles in combating systemic racism. Both gendersemphasized the importance of education, self-reflection, and advocacy. However, male

Conference Session

Track 1: Technical Session 2: Unlocking Innovation: Empowering Underrepresented Entrepreneurs in Interdisciplinary Engineering Technology

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Teddy Ivanitzki, American Society for Engineering Education; Elsabeth Mekonnen

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

]Lindsey Tropf, CEO of Immersed Games, Inc., a developer of augmented reality video games,mentored fellow Holly Pope: “Holly easily strengthened connections with schools and teachersby interviewing them about potential tools to assist with their teaching plans. While at Immersed,she also acquired skills useful for developing her startup, such as understanding launchrequirements and how to apply for next-level funding. She also learned about resources availableto women and underrepresented groups.” [14]Details of Ethnic and Racial Distribution: According to the National Center for Science andEngineering Statistics (NCSES)/NSF19-304, underrepresentation and overrepresentation ofwomen and racial or ethnic groups vary by field of study and occupation

Conference Session

Track 6: Technical Session 5: Student-based Recommendations to Increase Accessibility in Undergraduate Engineering Programs

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Emily Violet Landgren, University of Texas at Austin; Maura Borrego, University of Texas at Austin

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

following semester, he found hewas unable to access federal financial aid. The reason was that he had reached the maximumcredit allowance. It took him some time to figure out that the courses he dropped the previoussemester counted towards this limit. At the time of withdrawing from classes, he was not advisedof this consideration. When recounting the situation, he expressed disappointment that he hadn'tbeen informed of the policy and counseled on alternatives (such as medical withdrawal, whichmay not have counted toward the cap on credits) and planned financially for his final semester.Engineering curricula are notoriously crowded with specific degree requirements and littleflexibility, which is not necessarily taken into consideration when

Conference Session

Track 3: Technical Session 1: Bridging Educational Equity Gaps: A Systematic Review of AI-Driven Tools for Students Living with Disabilities in Engineering and STEM Education

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Kevin Zhongyang Shao, University of Washington; Denise Wilson, University of Washington; Eric Kyeong-Min Cho, University of Washington; Sophia Tang, University of Washington; Hanlin Ma, University of Washington; Sep Makhsous, University of Washington

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

, ChatGPT hasbeen transforming how the field educates and assesses students [9]. Customizable AI-drivenlearning technologies have demonstrated sufficient adaptability to meet a range of pedagogicalneeds for SLWD. These tools engage the SLWD through natural language, via text or audio,assisting with tasks such as error detection in assignments, crafting individualized teachingmaterials and lesson plans, providing instantaneous feedback, personal tutoring, andadministrative support, as well as facilitating language learning and conversational practice [9],[10], [11], [12]. Research by Daniel et al. [13] and Chung et al. [14], among others, highlightshow the customization of chatbots enhances user engagement and delivers tailored servicesacross

Conference Session

Track 7: Technical Session 4: Diversity in STEM: Strategies of Professional Engineering Organizations in Recruiting and Retaining Women from Minority-Serving Institutions

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Rebeca Petean, Society of Women Engineers; Roberta Rincon, Society of Women Engineers

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

. in Educational Policy and Planning from UT Austin. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Strategic Insights into Recruiting and Retaining Women in STEM at Minority-Serving InstitutionsIntroductionThe culture in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is often perceived as awelcoming and inclusive environment—where success is believed to be the result of objectivelydetermined merit, training, and hard work [1], [2]. A space where if we have the knowledge,training, and skill set coupled with enough ambition to do the job—and do well at our job—wewill naturally progress up the ladder of success via promotions and other forms of

Conference Session

Track 4: Technical Session 5: Impact of Generative AI Technologies on Blind and Visually Impaired Students: A Case Study

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Lance Leon Allen White, Texas A&M University; Sara Amani, Texas A&M University; Trini Sofia Balart, Texas A&M University; Amanda Kate Lacy; Gene Sung-Ho Kim, Stanford University; Gibin Raju, Texas A&M University; Karan Watson P.E., Texas A&M University; Kristi J. Shryock, Texas A&M University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

PlansGene believes GenAI has improved his quality of life, particularly through Be My AI, whichoffers accessibility-focused image recognition. Currently, Gene collaborates with research groupsnationwide to further integrate GenAI into accessibility tools, and he plans to pursue graduatestudies to expand his work in this field. His vision is to develop GenAI solutions that can reliablysupport accessibility needs in educational and professional settings, bridging the existing gapsthat limit students like him and Amanda from fully engaging in STEM.Joint Hopes for the Future of GenAIThe research team encouraged Ann and Gene to reflect on their experiences with technology,both in their youth and as adults, to provide a comprehensive context for their

Conference Session

Track 6: Technical Session 4: WIP: investigate recruitment strategies used by engineering bridge and success programs to recruit underserved students

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Xinyu Zhang, Purdue University; Lynette Michaluk, West Virginia University; N’Diya Harris, Wright State University; Ansley Lynn Shamblin, West Virginia University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

’ perspectives.This is an explanatory sequential mixed method study based on the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI)theory framework. This work-in-progress (WIP) paper will report on instrument development,sampling procedure, planned data analysis, and current progress. This research will also broadenknowledge on applying DOI theory to increase recruitment effectiveness.Keywords: recruitment challenges, diffusion of innovations theory, underserved students, bridgeprograms, communication channelsIntroductionThere has been increased national attention on the recruitment and retention of underservedstudents such as underrepresented minorities (URMs), women, first-generation students, lowsocio-economic status (SES) students, rural students, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and

Conference Session

Track 6: Technical Session 3: Breaking Barriers: Unveiling the Journeys and Triumphs of Faculty Women of Color in STEM Academia

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Kemesha Gabbidon, University of South Florida; Saundra Johnson Austin, University of South Florida

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

- The ability to plan long-term, set goals, and align resources and actions to achieve them. 25 Thought processes It's because I connect theory to practice. I'm not disillusioned in the sense that where persons write these nice papers, and it just reads and goes on the shelf, and no one cares. No, my technique is, I put it in the newspaper. In the papers, I talk about it. I do my speeches about it. I will go to the schools and work with those students in that space. It's theory to practice... I try to create things that teachers or people can appreciate because I think that's one of the limitations of higher ed. We

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

mentor, who serves as a guideand coach throughout the program. These mentors help scholars build networks, honespecific industry skills, and gain insights into practical engineering challenges.Another cornerstone of the GEES program is its structured mentorship approach, whichaddresses challenges such as low self-confidence and career uncertainty. Each student workswith a mentor to develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) based on SMART (Strategic,Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) goals, as proposed by Wosu (2016) [3].The IDP outlines clear steps for skill development, career exploration, and professionalgrowth, making the mentorship relationship goal-driven and supportive. Through regularmentor meetings, GEES scholars

Conference Session

Track 6: Technical Session 3: The role of undergraduate engineering students' different support networks in promoting emotional well-being: A narrative study

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Sowmya Panuganti, Purdue Engineering Education; Narjes Khorsandi Koujel, Rowan University; Justin Charles Major, Rowan University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

create inclusive environments that allow students to form chosenfamilies. Potential methods for educators to act upon this could include allowing studentsextra time in class to get to know each other and creating an inclusive classroom culture inwhich students feel comfortable approaching the educator for various kinds of support.Chosen families provide students an ability to be their authentic self with others. Chosenfamilies also help students find solutions to their problems with others who are likeminded.The sense of belonging resulting from Chosen Family support likely supports students’persistence.In future research, we plan to deepen our understanding of how support networks impactundergraduate engineering students' success and well-being

Conference Session

Track 6: Technical Session 5: Development of a measure of intersectional socioeconomic inequality that extends beyond income

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Justin Charles Major, Rowan University; Allison Godwin, Cornell University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

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

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

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

inengineering. Al-Sanad and Koushki [31] and Aswad et al. [24] discuss the importance of policyinterventions in Qatar and the UAE. Mehran [39] highlights how institutional support andeducational reforms help in closing the gender gap. Using these policy interventions on a widerscale, despite creating more fair opportunities for women, will effectively increase the quality anddiversity of the engineering workforce. Implementing measures such as awarding scholarships,creating flexible programs and career promotion plans will encourage and support women topursue and succeed. In addition to achievement, the impact of such actions contributes to broadereconomic growth and innovation, as a diverse workforce is recognized as a key driver of creativityand