Lee, J., & Steimel, J. P. (2025, March), Pilot Strategy to Enhance Mechanical Engineering Student Retention Through Active Academic Advising and Early Engagement  Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi. https://peer.asee.org/54187

\bibitem{asee_peer_54187}
  Lee, J., \& Steimel, J. P. (2025, March), \emph{Pilot Strategy to Enhance Mechanical Engineering Student Retention Through Active Academic Advising and Early Engagement}
  Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi.
  https://peer.asee.org/54187

JuEun Lee and Joshua Paul Steimel.  "Pilot Strategy to Enhance Mechanical Engineering Student Retention Through Active Academic Advising and Early Engagement".  2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi, 2025, March.  ASEE Conferences, 2025.  https://peer.asee.org/54187 Internet.  06 Apr, 2025

\bibitem{asee_peer_54187}
  JuEun Lee and Joshua Paul Steimel.
  "Pilot Strategy to Enhance Mechanical Engineering Student Retention Through Active Academic Advising and Early Engagement".
  \emph{2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi, 2025, March}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2025.
  https://peer.asee.org/54187 Internet.  06 Apr, 2025

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_54187
author = "JuEun Lee and Joshua Paul Steimel"
title = "Pilot Strategy to Enhance Mechanical Engineering Student Retention Through Active Academic Advising and Early Engagement"
booktitle = "2025 ASEE Southeast Conference "
year = "2025"
month = "March"
address = "Mississippi State University, Mississippi"
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/54187}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - Student retention and recruitment remain critical challenges in mechanical engineering education. In particular, retention is strongly correlated with proper initial placement in first-year mathematics, chemistry, and physics courses. These subjects often determine student persistence and success. Many engineering programs use standardized test scores and placement exams to schedule students into these courses, but this system has limitations. Issues include biases in standardized tests, delays in submitting transcripts, and insufficient communication about the importance of placement tests.
Students, especially those underrepresented in engineering, often receive placement test information while still completing high school and many do not grasp the significance of these tests or how they can impact their future success in mechanical engineering. Consequently, students may be misassigned to math, physics, or chemistry courses, hindering their academic progress.
To address this, we propose a new strategy for improving retention through structured, active faculty academic advising. The model emphasizes early, consistent communication between students and faculty advisors to ensure proper course placement and engage students in enriching academic experiences. Central to this strategy is proper placement testing, particularly in mathematics, the backbone of engineering curricula. Our approach uses personalized email communication, one-on-one Zoom meetings, and in-person sessions with faculty advisors. These faculty advisors clearly communicate academic plans based on current placements and how these plans can change based on placement test performance. This process not only ensures correct course placement but also provides a support system that fosters engagement, confidence, and student ownership of their academic journey.
Additionally, we emphasize the importance of early research engagement as a key retention component. Through active advising, students are encouraged to explore research opportunities within their first two years. Research enhances critical thinking, builds networks, and deepens students' commitment to their discipline. Advisors work with students to identify research activities that align with their interests and goals, creating a personalized academic path that supports retention and long-term success.
Our pilot implementation of this advising model has demonstrated significant improvements in placement test scores and student retention rates, particularly among students who initially placed lower in math. By addressing foundational coursework and promoting early academic engagement, this strategy fosters a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.


AU  - JuEun Lee
AU  - Joshua Paul Steimel
CY  - Mississippi State University, Mississippi
DA  - 2025/03/09
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Pilot Strategy to Enhance Mechanical Engineering Student Retention Through Active Academic Advising and Early Engagement
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/54187
ER  -