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

Tagged Topics

2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

and their career progression in STEM fields [1]-[2].In order to bridge these gaps, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships inScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (S-STEM) has fundedprograms aimed at supporting students through scholarships, mentorship, and careerdevelopment. The Graduate Engineering Education Scholarship (GEES) of the University ofPittsburgh is one of the success cases of the NSF S-STEM (Track 2) initiative. The GEESprogram, launched 2019 by the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering(SSoE), is an attempt to address the financial issues that low-income students face. There aretwo primary objectives: (1) to increase access to Master of Science (MS) degrees

Conference Session

CANCELLED: Track 6: Technical Session 2: Gender Differences in Global Identity Development: Implications for Intercultural Competence in Higher Education

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

scores amongfemale students suggest they are better at seeking and achieving personal and professionalsatisfaction. By understanding these gender differences in global identity development, HigherEducation Institutions can tailor their programs and support services to better meet the needs ofall students. Encouraging the development of these beneficial traits across the student body canenhance overall intercultural competence and readiness for the global workforce.1. Background1.1 Importance of Global Identity Development & Intercultural Learning in STEM EducationThe globalization of economies and societies has created an urgent need for higher educationinstitutions to prepare students for an increasingly interconnected world [1], [2]. This

Conference Session

Track 6: Techncal Session 7: Growing BPE Efforts: Lessons Learned from a College-Wide Seed Grant Program

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Gabriella Coloyan Fleming, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Christine Julien, Virginia Tech

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

: 1.New ideas are given support so they can be developed at our institution 2. These ideas have led to changes; new programs implemented and recommendations made for new policy and practiceDill, David D. "Academic accountability and university adaptation: The architecture of an academic learning organization." Higher education 38.2 (1999): 127-154. ● This seed grants program was part of a Center for Equity in Engineering modeled on a learning organization ● The seed grants program seeks to contribute to both of these conditions ● First, it provides financial and personnel support for ideas to be developed at the institution

Conference Session

Track 7: Technical Session 7: Grassroots Approach to Advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access in Engineering

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Ashleigh R. Wright, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign; Ellen Wang Althaus, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign; Akshina Sood, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign; Lance Cooper, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign; Lynford Goddard, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

-Champaign she • Leads the strategy enhancing the Grainger College of Engineering (GCOE)’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. • Develops robust structures to support faculty and staff appropriately to ensure an equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace and learning community. • Collaborates with the Associate Dean (AD) to 1) define strategic priorities and examine policies, and 2) develop DEI goals and objectives for the College and its units. • Utilizes data collection and analysis to identify challenges, enhance transparency, establish accountability measures, propose effective solutions, and define metrics for evaluating progress within the college’s units and other assigned areas. • Leads and

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

from birth. This study underscores the need for enhancements in GenAI technologyto better support accessibility, offering insights into both the day-to-day applications andspecialized academic uses for visually impaired students pursuing STEM education.IntroductionThe introduction of technology in education has brought significant advancements, however, thespecific needs of blind and visually impaired students often remain underrepresented andinadequately addressed [1]. Generative AI tools hold the potential to bridge these gaps. Thispaper will explore the evolving relationship between GenAI and accessibility in education,aiming to create learning environments that inclusively support all students as these technologiesbecome as pervasive as

Conference Session

Track 3: Technical Session 4: Introducing a Virtual Dashboard to Benchmark and Monitor Engineering Graduate Degree Retention Trends at Penn State

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Enrique D Gomez; Catherine G. P. Berdanier, Pennsylvania State University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

writing and communication; and methodological development. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025Slide 1 Introducing a Virtual Dashboard to Benchmark and Monitor Engineering Graduate Degree Retention Trends at Penn State Dr. Enrique Gomez, Interim Assoc. Dean for Equity and Inclusion, Penn State University Dr. Catherine Berdanier, Assoc. Prof. of Mechanical Engineering, Penn State UniversityNote: Target is 2 minutes per slide plus time for Q&ASlide 2 Literature shows differences

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

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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

Track 4: Technical Session 5: Insights and Updates on Identity Constructs Among Hispanic Engineering Students and Professionals: A Longitudinal Study

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Dayna Lee Martínez, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc.; Andrea D. Beattie, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc.; Kimberly D Douglas P.E., Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc.

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

. This comprehensive approach ensuresthat a wide range of relevant information is captured, providing a more complete picture ofSHPE members' experiences and requirements. In the 2023 Needs Assessment, the organizationgathered a total of 2,529 responses, achieving an 81.5% completion rate. Figure 1 presents thedistribution of respondents across different member types.Figure 2 shows the gender identity composition of respondents and Table 1 provides a detailedbreakdown of racial and ethnic identities among the survey respondents, with a significant 73.8%and 64.3% identifying as Hispanic and/or Latino/a, respectively.Some other important demographics worth reporting include that 54.4% of respondents werefirst-generation college students. This was

Conference Session

CANCELLED: Track 3: Technical Session 2: Learning and Adopting Principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice through the Development of a Sustainability Mindset Among First Year Engineering Students

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Krystal Colón-Rivera, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus; Nayda G. Santiago P.E., University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus; Aidsa I. Santiago-Roman, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus; Christopher Papadopoulos, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus; Sandra Loree Dika, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

Learning and Adopting Principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice through the Development of a Sustainability Mindset Among First Year Engineering StudentsAbstract. Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) are important elements of a sustainability mindset. As partof an initiative to develop a new program in Sustainability Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez,and to evaluate the growth of a sustainability mindset among participants, we performed a qualitative analysis ofresults from a cohort of first year students (5 men, 2 women) who completed a 1-credit JEDI seminar as part of theirenrollment in the program. Based on coding student essays, we identified three themes that

Conference Session

Track 5: Technical Session 5: Partnering with Rural K-12 Schools in Southwest Virginia to Broaden Participation in Engineering

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Felicity Bilow, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Hannah Glisson, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Malle R Schilling, Arizona State University; Jacob R Grohs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

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

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

development and training of CHE graduate students. • Customized Learning Paths • Individual Development Paths • Modular Coursework • Student-Centered Approach • Continuous Assessment and FeedbackOverall Research Goals• Goal 1: • Create a personalized learning model (PLM) for graduate STEM education that is inclusive and incorporates professional training• Goal 2: • Generate the knowledge and examine the potential to extend the PLM from one STEM context to anotherDiversity, Inclusivity, and our PLM• IDPs are a student-centered tool for academic and career development planning. (Instructional Goals)• Increased choice in courses and professional development stream activities respects diverse interests and career paths. (Task

Conference Session

Track 5: Technical Session 2: Revisiting Assessment Tools Used to Measure the Impact of Summer Program Interventions on Perceptions and Interest in Engineering Among Underrepresented Pre-College Students – A Work in Progress

Collection

2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

Authors

Zeynep Ambarkutuk, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Jesika Monet McDaniel, Virginia Tech Department of Engineering Education; Cynthia Hampton Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Kim Lester, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

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2025 CoNECD Paper Submissions, Diversity

students who are in suchprograms, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, drop out, change majors,or ultimately do not pursue STEM-related careers [1]. It is important to attract and retain studentsin STEM fields by understanding their experiences in such programs. The expectations forsuccess, sense of belonging, interest, and perceived relevance are critical factors for students toembrace; therefore, interventions that effectively foster these perceptions, particularly early intheir education such as during high school, can significantly enhance the success ofunderrepresented groups in STEM fields. Four such programs exist at a large, four-yearinstitution in the Southeast. The focus of this work is the revision and

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

related to recognizing rurality.you do, whether that be connected to research, practice, or both. 1 2 Who are we? What is rural? • Applied research with students, teachers, schools and industry in Southwest Virginia (PI Grohs, GRA Schilling) • Research focused on rurality and engineering education with What are the issues? a specific focus on partnership and