, writing, andcommunication skills that are vital to successful careers in science and engineering [29].Student participation in REU programs was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and raisedconcerns related to REU learning outcomes. Several REU programs over the past few years wereheld remotely or virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Research on the impacts of virtual orremote REU programs is limited. One study by Nyarko and colleagues highlighted how, despitechallenges encountered during a virtual REU, students demonstrated gains in knowledge,confidence, and communication skills [30]. Even as many REUs return to in-person experiences,research into the impacts of virtual or remote REUSs can be useful as developers and hosts ofREUs and other
from both supportivefaculty and peers (p. 879).Professional IdentityAccording to Chickering and Reisser, a foundational component of one’s overall identity iscompetence, most relevantly captured here in one’s professional identity [19]. The Communityof Practice (COP) [20] model is a widely adopted framework in the professional identityliterature that has been useful in understanding engineering identity (e.g., [21-23]). TheCommunity of Practice model consists of members of a professional community who surround acore of practicing experts. Belonging in this community is experienced through three modalities:imagination (i.e., how can I see myself as a member?), engagement (i.e., how can I participate inthis community?), and alignment (i.e., how