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Post-Baccalaureate Research Experiences for Students at Two Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Experience)

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

July 12, 2024

Conference Session

Diverse Pathways in Engineering Education: Exploring Experiences and Opportunities

Tagged Division

Minorities in Engineering Division(MIND)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/47853

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Paper Authors

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Dessaray Monique Gorbett University of Texas at El Paso

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Dessaray Gorbett is a Senior Researcher within the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program at the University of Texas at El Paso. Holding a PhD in Psychology from the same institution, she brings a wealth of expertise in program evaluation, research methodology, and statistical analyses to her role. With a specialized focus on evaluating STEM education programs within higher education, she brings extensive knowledge and experience in assessing the effectiveness and impact of these programs.

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Benjamin C. Flores University of Texas at El Paso

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Dr. Benjamin C. Flores joined the faculty of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in 1990 after receiving his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University. Since 2004, he has served as the PI and Director of the University of Texas System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. Dr. Flores is the Forrest O. and Henrietta Lewis Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In 2010, he received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.

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Cristina Villalobos The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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Dr. Cristina Villalobos holds the Myles and Sylvia Aaronson Endowed Professorship in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Her research is in optimization, optimal control, and STEM education. She is Founding Director of the Center of Excellence in STEM Education, and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Institutional Effectiveness in the College of Sciences. Her work in STEM curricula, leadership, and student mentorship especially for underrepresented groups is summarized with the 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).

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Sara E. Rodriguez University of Texas at El Paso Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0001-5211-8594

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Ariana (Ari) Arciero University of Texas at El Paso

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Ms. Ariana Arciero is the Associate Director of the UT System LSAMP program and oversees the daily operation of all aspects of the state-wide Alliance. Ms. Arciero has done extensive research on STEM retention strategies and has published multiple articles focusing on these topics.

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Josef Aaron Sifuentes The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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Josef Sifuentes is an Associate Professor in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley whose research area is in iterative methods in applied mathematics and numerical linear algebra. Dr. Sifuentes has directed and co-directed research programs aimed at widening the pipeline to graduate programs to underrepresented minorities. He is also the codirector of the LSAMP summer research academy at UTRGV.

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Abstract

This study examines the implementation of a one-year program that offered post-baccalaureate research experiences to a cohort of recent STEM graduates from two large Hispanic-serving institutions. Both institutions are collaborators in an NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) grant, which is dedicated to enhancing the academic experience of historically underrepresented minorities. Applicants were either self-nominated or were nominated by faculty to participate in the post-baccalaureate program. Following an application process that included an interview, selected participants were matched to research faculty and committed to engage in a high-impact research project for at least one semester and for up to one academic year. The evaluation team conducted a focus group and a survey with a subset of participants to assess their experience. Participants were asked to provide feedback and insight on the program’s on-boarding activities, research experience, mentor experience, and program interactions, and reflect on the gains from program participation. Survey data were not included in this study as the number of participant responses was limited. Participants reported that this experience was highly valued and significantly increased their motivation for pursuing future research and careers in STEM fields. Participants reported that the program allowed them to develop and refine their professional and research skills, enabling them to apply concepts learned during their undergraduate studies to their research projects. Participants described faculty mentors as supportive, understanding, and actively involved in guiding them throughout their research journeys. However, participants also articulated a need for more professional development opportunities, especially in preparation for graduate and professional school. In terms of program implementation, the program’s leadership experienced administrative challenges when compensating participants and with low faculty mentor involvement in mentorship workshops. Despite these challenges, participants reported minimal disruptions in their research experiences and expressed appreciation for the transparency of the program's leadership in addressing and mitigating compensation issues. In addition, participants described their mentors as supportive and actively involved in their research experience. While the program faced implementation hurdles, it ultimately offered participants valuable research experiences and skill development opportunities. This study underscores the critical role that post-baccalaureate research programs play in the participants’ success as it prepares them for further educational and professional pursuits. The program’s leadership gained valuable insights through the implementation phase of the program; for example, there were differences in the administrative procedures of the two participating institutions that impacted the timely implementation of the project. Although both institutions had resources to offer workshops to participants, one institution successfully streamlined compensation processes while the other encountered conflicts in the regulations hindering its ability to fulfill the professional development plan. Additionally, program leadership included the evaluation of the program post-award, which limited the depth of the evaluation. In conclusion, the post-baccalaureate program successfully addressed the needs of recent STEM graduates, particularly those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gorbett, D. M., & Flores, B. C., & Villalobos, C., & Rodriguez, S. E., & Arciero, A. A., & Sifuentes, J. A. (2024, June), Post-Baccalaureate Research Experiences for Students at Two Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Experience) Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/47853

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