, non-profit agencies, and government organizations, including tDr. Angela Minichiello P.E., Utah State University Angela (Angie) Minichiello is a military veteran, licensed mechanical engineer, and associate professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Utah State University. Her research examines issues of access, equity, and identity in the formation of engineers and a diverse, transdisciplinary 21st century engineering workforce. Angie received an NSF CAREER award in 2021 for her work with student veterans and service members in engineering.Dr. Ronald W. Welch P.E., The Citadel Ron Welch (P.E.) received his B.S. degree in Engineering Mechanics from the United States Military Academy in 1982. He
Paper ID #38656WIP: Institutional Agents’ Awareness and Perceptions of MilitaryStudents in Undergraduate Engineering Programs at Public Institutions inthe Western United StatesHannah Wilkinson, Utah State University Hannah Wilkinson is a graduate student in Engineering Education at Utah State University. She received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in from the University of Utah.Dr. Angela Minichiello P.E., Utah State University Angela Minichiello is a US Army veteran, a registered professional mechanical engineer, and an associate professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Utah State University. Her research
experiences for veterans to motivate them tocontinue to graduate school or pursue a career in Naval STEM research. A mentor program wasimplemented to provide research faculty mentors, Navy engineering mentors and an expandedmentor network to support the student veterans. The program is well received at bothuniversities and has demonstrated a positive impact on the undergraduate student veterans.Several program challenges are presented along with methods used to overcome those challengesto provide a better experience for both the veteran students and faculty mentors.IntroductionThis paper discusses the development and execution of a multi-year veteran research exchangeprogram between the University of Tennessee and the University of North Carolina at