Closing the Gap through Guided Pathways into the Engineering and Computer Science Workforce

Nandika D'Souza; Hector R. Siller; Hyun Kyoung Kyoung Ro; Debbie Huffman; Mary J Combs

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Conference: 2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference
Location: Arlington, TX, Texas
Publication Date: March 9, 2025
Start Date: March 9, 2025
End Date: March 11, 2025
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 12
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--55034
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/55034
Download Count: 13

Paper Authors

biography

Nandika D'Souza University of Texas at Dallas

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Nandika Anne D’Souza is Professor (2024-present) of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives at the University of Texas at Dallas. She received her doctorate from Texas A&M University, College Station and her M.S. from Auburn University in Mechanical Engineering. Her research is focused on polymers and composites directed towards integrating sustainable, recycled and new combinations of materials for design, performance and manufacturing. Concurrently, she examines approaches to enhance workforce development for future and current learners for innovative technologies. She has co-authored 6 book chapters, 100 peer reviewed journal and 103 conference publications. She was recognized as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 2023 and Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) in 2013. She received the 2015 Distinguished Engineering Educator Award by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), 2022 WEPAN Exemplary Service Award, 2022 SAMPE DEI Impact Award. She is a life member of SHPE, SWE, NSBE and Girl Scouts and a member of American Chemical Society.

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Mary J. Combs has over 20 years of experience in higher education and healthcare working with faculty as an instructional designer to create student-focused curricula using assessment data and program evaluation. She also has experience working with community-based organizations advancing health equity through data-driven strategies and providing performance feedback to improve clinical education. Combs excels in qualitative and quantitative analysis, project management, and delivering impactful training programs. She holds a master's degree in occupational and technical studies (business and industry training). As a Senior Evaluator at Quality Measures, LLC, Combs is committed to fostering continuous improvement and ensuring that programs achieve their intended outcomes. Her expertise in stakeholder engagement and communication ensures that evaluation findings are disseminated and utilized for maximum impact.

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Abstract

The retention and graduation of students in engineering and computer science disciplines has been a challenge. In this paper we explore a series of interventions in a range of engineering and computer science degrees at the University of North Texas. We explore the pre-pandemic, post-pandemic, new HSI designation macro changes in the University. We employ an asset framework through creating a range of degree plans and utilizing a focused experience with one community college to examine its success across 7 community colleges in proximity to the institution. Texas provides a set of courses for engineering degrees to guide transfer from community college to four year degrees in programs such as mechanical and electrical engineering. This is called the field of study. We examine the value of the field of study and Texas common core numbering system. We provide a list of best practices that can be utilized by multiple institutions by applying the solutions to a degree to two institutions in Texas and one in Oklahoma.

Citation
Format

D'Souza, N., & Siller, H. R., & Ro, H. K. K., & Huffman, D., & Combs, M. J. (2025, March), Closing the Gap through Guided Pathways into the Engineering and Computer Science Workforce Paper presented at 2025 ASEE -GSW Annual Conference, Arlington, TX, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--55034