Nurturing Brilliance in Engineering: Creating Research Venues for Undergraduate Underrepresented Minorites in Engineering as an Initiative from Faculty Members that Foster Academic Inclusion, Development, and Post-graduation Instruction (Work in Progress)

Eleazar Marquez; Samuel Garcia

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Conference: 2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Tampa, Florida
Publication Date: June 15, 2019
Start Date: June 15, 2019
End Date: June 19, 2019
Conference Session: Minorities in Engineering Division Technical Session 2
Tagged Division: Minorities in Engineering
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 14
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--33138
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/33138
Download Count: 156

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Paper Authors

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Eleazar Marquez Rice University

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Eleazar Marquez is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University.

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Samuel Garcia Jr. Texas State University

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Dr. Samuel García Jr. currently serves as Educator Professional Development Specialist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA and is an Assistant Professor of Practice for the LBJ Institute for Education and Research at Texas State University.

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Abstract

In this study, a new model for attracting, advancing, and advocating for the participation of underrepresented minorities in research venues is proposed with the intention of fostering academic inclusion, development, and post-graduation mentorship. It involves developing and nurturing a disposition from faculty by proactively identifying students via classroom interaction, performance, and academic aptitude and extending a personal invitation to collaborate on the research team. Current research opportunities for engineering undergraduates at tier-one institutions are obtained by students' incentive to communicate with faculty members via email or office hours. Despite the available opportunities, only a limited number of students are selected to participate due to the finite space and a degree of competency within a group. As for underrepresented minorities, such as Latino and African American students, these types of venues may seem inaccessible since a large number are first-generation college students who encounter supplementary challenges due to their cultural background, lack of proper academic guidance, and other institutional-based factors. These challenges oftentimes hinder their exposure, access, and participation to such academic resources that are necessary components for securing employment post-graduation or establishing fundamental research knowledge for graduate school. In the process of performing research, the faculty member serves as a mentor by providing extensive technical guidance and offer emotional support to strengthen academic development while simultaneously advocating post-graduation career venues. Primary results of the proposed model indicate increased levels of underrepresented minority student interest and motivation to engage in research as evidenced by the testimonies of current members. These emerging findings attest to the importance of faculty members’ desire to outreach directly with the students and establishing culturally responsive pathways for engaging minority students in research opportunities. Thus, students attract employers associated in the realm of research interest or attend graduate school post-graduation.

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Format

Marquez, E., & Garcia, S. (2019, June), Nurturing Brilliance in Engineering: Creating Research Venues for Undergraduate Underrepresented Minorites in Engineering as an Initiative from Faculty Members that Foster Academic Inclusion, Development, and Post-graduation Instruction (Work in Progress) Paper presented at 2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Tampa, Florida. 10.18260/1-2--33138

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - In this study, a new model for attracting, advancing, and advocating for the participation of underrepresented minorities in research venues is proposed with the intention of fostering academic inclusion, development, and post-graduation mentorship. It involves developing and nurturing a disposition from faculty by proactively identifying students via classroom interaction, performance, and academic aptitude and extending a personal invitation to collaborate on the research team. Current research opportunities for engineering undergraduates at tier-one institutions are obtained by students&#39; incentive to communicate with faculty members via email or office hours. Despite the available opportunities, only a limited number of students are selected to participate due to the finite space and a degree of competency within a group. As for underrepresented minorities, such as Latino and African American students, these types of venues may seem inaccessible since a large number are first-generation college students who encounter supplementary challenges due to their cultural background, lack of proper academic guidance, and other institutional-based factors. These challenges oftentimes hinder their exposure, access, and participation to such academic resources that are necessary components for securing employment post-graduation or establishing fundamental research knowledge for graduate school. In the process of performing research, the faculty member serves as a mentor by providing extensive technical guidance and offer emotional support to strengthen academic development while simultaneously advocating post-graduation career venues. Primary results of the proposed model indicate increased levels of underrepresented minority student interest and motivation to engage in research as evidenced by the testimonies of current members. These emerging findings attest to the importance of faculty members’ desire to outreach directly with the students and establishing culturally responsive pathways for engaging minority students in research opportunities. Thus, students attract employers associated in the realm of research interest or attend graduate school post-graduation.  
AU  - Eleazar Marquez
AU  - Samuel Garcia Jr.
CY  - Tampa, Florida
DA  - 2019/06/15
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Nurturing Brilliance in Engineering: Creating Research Venues for Undergraduate Underrepresented Minorites in Engineering as an Initiative from Faculty Members that Foster Academic Inclusion, Development, and Post-graduation Instruction (Work in Progress)
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/33138
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--33138
ER  -