Abstrakt: |
Engaging the Next Generation of African-American Graduates Entering Biomedical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering Careers (ENGAGE 2BE) aims to address the current worker shortage and lack of diversity in various fields of engineering. Improving the diversity of viewpoints and experiences within the engineering field will fuel innovation and draw on a talent pool that will fill the current workforce needs. In order to increase underrepresented minority (URM) participation in engineering multiple strategies must be employed, two of which are increasing the retention and completion rates of URMs and women in engineering B.S. programs; as well as increasing the number of URMs and women that attend and complete graduate school in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) field. An impactful mentoring program has been designed and implemented that leverages student strengths through social media to support students as they matriculate towards their B.S. degrees. Now entering its second academic year the ENGAGE 2BE program targets students who are URM, low income, first-generation, from immigrant or migrant worker families, have disabilities, or have children. The program provides mentoring academic support, and professional development through impactful workshops on understanding your strengths, being successful as a woman in a field highly populated by men, and preparing for graduate school. In addition, support is provided for student travel, to increase professional development and preparation to work in a global society. This paper reports on the ENGAGE 2BE program including program motivation, operations and management plans, as well as current assessment data and lessons learned. The information provided will aid others who are interested in strengthening support networks for undergraduate students in engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |