Portland, Oregon
June 23, 2024
June 23, 2024
June 26, 2024
Student Division (STDT)
12
10.18260/1-2--47689
https://peer.asee.org/47689
57
Emily is an undergraduate student researcher focused on engineering education in the Mechanical & Materials Engineering department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Chloe is an undergraduate student researcher on engineering education in the Civil Engineering department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dr. Jessica Deters is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and Discipline Based Education Researcher at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She holds her Ph.D. in Engineering Education and M.S. in Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech.
The field of engineering, traditionally dominated by homogenous groups, is undergoing a transformative shift towards embracing diversity and inclusion. As institutions aim to diversify their student bodies, it is imperative to understand the multifaceted experiences of students from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly those students who are the first in their family to pursue a college degree. Moreover, examining the experiences of students at different academic stages provides a nuanced understanding of the evolving challenges and opportunities faced by first-generation students in engineering. Comparing and contrasting these viewpoints can empower institutions to foster an environment that is truly inclusive from start to finish. This paper is a subset of a project focused on investigating minoritized engineering undergraduate students at a large, public, land-grant university in the Midwest. Through detailed, hour-long, semi-structured interviews, participants shared their experiences as minoritized engineering students, especially as their experiences relate to their own mental health. This paper specifically explores the narratives of two participants, illustrating the contrast in perspectives of a first-year and fourth-year first-generation student. This paper underscores the importance of continual dialogue with first-generation students, emphasizing that true inclusivity in engineering education extends beyond mere integration; it demands sustained understanding and unwavering support.
Fitzpatrick, E. N., & Mann, C. F., & Deters, J. (2024, June), Investigating How Engineering Faculty’s Perceptions of Students are Influenced by Experience Level Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--47689
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