Creating a Successful Pathway to Graduate Studies: The Student Integrated Intern Research Experience (SIIRE)
- Conference
- Location
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Tampa, Florida
- Publication Date
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June 15, 2019
- Start Date
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June 15, 2019
- End Date
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June 19, 2019
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Graduate Studies
- Tagged Topic
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Diversity
- Page Count
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13
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--32558
- Permanent URL
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https://216.185.13.131/32558
- Download Count
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453
Paper Authors
Carol S. Gattis University of Arkansas
Dr. Carol Gattis is the Associate Dean Emeritus of the Honors College and an adjunct Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas. Her academic research focuses on STEM education, developing programs for the recruitment, retention and graduation of a diverse population of students. Carol also serves as a consultant specializing in new program development and grants. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the U of A and has served on the industrial engineering faculty since 1991.
Manuel D. Rossetti P.E. University of Arkansas
MANUEL D. ROSSETTI is a Professor in the Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas. He received his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of simulation modeling, logistics optimization, and inventory analysis applied to manufacturing, distribution, and health-care systems. He serves as an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Modeling and Simulation and is active in IIE, INFORMS, and ASEE.
Kim LaScola Needy P.E. University of Arkansas
Kim LaScola Needy is Dean of the Graduate School and International Education at the University of Arkansas. Prior to this appointment she was Department Head and 21st Century Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas. She received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Wichita State University. Prior to her academic appointment, she gained industrial experience while working at PPG Industries and The Boeing Company. Her first faculty appointment was at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Needy’s research interests include engineering management, engineering economic analysis, sustainable engineering, and integrated resource management. She is Past President of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IIE), holding a Fellow membership status, a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM), a member of the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) and a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Kansas.
Edgar C. Clausen University of Arkansas
Dr. Clausen currently serves as Professor, Associate Department Head and the Ray C. Adam Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas. His research interests include bioprocess engineering, the production of energy and chemicals from biomass and waste, and enhancement of the K-12 educational experience. Professor Clausen is a registered professional engineer in the state of Arkansas.
Wenjuo Lo University of Arkansas
Dr. Wen-Juo Lo is an Associate Professor in the Educational Statistics and Research Methodology (ESRM) program at the University of Arkansas. His research interests involve methodological issues related to analyses with a focus on psychometric methods. The recent research agenda concentrates statistical methods for the detection of bias in psychological measurement, especially measurement invariance on latent factor models. In addition, he also conducts research to develop effective latent variable model and instrument that reflects the factors of college students’ retention.
Abstract
Creating a Successful Pathway to Graduate Studies: The Student Integrated Intern Research Experience (SIIRE)
Keywords: Graduate Studies, SIIRE, Diversity, Intern, Research, Financial Need, Engineering Graduate School Pipeline, Undergraduate Engineering Education, Enrichment Activities, Ethics, NSF, S-STEM
For the health of the engineering profession and the nation, increasing the number and diversity of engineering students going on to graduate studies is imperative. The Student Integrated Intern Research Experience (SIIRE) is successfully addressing this situation, supporting students from undergraduate through graduate school. SIIRE recruits a diverse group of first-year students to begin in SIIRE in their sophomore year and provides enrichment activities geared toward creating awareness plus developing interest and providing logistical information about graduate school. For example, workshops include topics on developing research skills, general graduate school information, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), research ethics and professionalism, and communicating research. Additional workshops are geared toward undergraduate student retention for expanding the pool of potential graduate students. Faculty mentor the students in developing graduate school applications their senior year. Students are also provided tools to help them obtain internships and undergraduate research experiences. All SIIRE students have financial need, and scholarships are provided through an NSF S-STEM grant.
SIIRE is extremely successful. Of the SIIRE BS graduates to date, over 90% attributed SIIRE for increasing their awareness of graduate school. 85% attributed SIIRE with increasing their awareness of the importance of completing their engineering degree, and half said it was an important factor in actually completing their degree. 92% responded that after participating in SIIRE they are more likely to encourage others to attend graduate school. Of SIIRE BS graduates, 45% continued with graduate school compared to the college of engineering (COE) average of 17%. SIIRE is successful in creating a diverse pool of participants with 49% from minority populations and females make up 42%, which is approximately double the rate for each group in the engineering college. Of those SIIRE graduates continuing on to graduate school, 29% are minority and 36% are female. SIIRE had success in students engaging in internships (48%) and undergraduate research (74%), and 39% have both an internship and research experience.
This paper will provide details about the SIIRE program and activities, share a program evaluation, discuss lessons learned and examine the future of the program.
Gattis, C. S., & Rossetti, M. D., & Needy, K. L., & Clausen, E. C., & Lo, W. (2019, June), Creating a Successful Pathway to Graduate Studies: The Student Integrated Intern Research Experience (SIIRE) Paper presented at 2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Tampa, Florida. 10.18260/1-2--32558
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