Project Description
Project PI: Dr. Jessica Deters
Project Co-PI: Dr. Mun Yuk Chin
Graduate Researcher: Nosakhare Idiaghe
Undergraduate Researchers: Emily Fitzpatrick, Chloe Mann, Hannah Baldwin, Isabel Adams
Amount and Years: $20,000, 2023
Funding: John C. and Nettie V. David Memorial Trust Fund via UNL Research Council Interdisciplinary Research Grant
Abstract: Improving undergraduate student retention in engineering has been a longstanding concern in engineering programs across the U.S. Our study aims to develop recommendations and strategies to address barriers that students may face in engineering with the goal of improving retention and improving students’ overall experiences in engineering.
Referred Conference Papers
Fitzpatrick, E., Mann, C., Idiaghe, N., & Deters, J. R. (2024, Oct. 13 – 16). Exploring undergraduate engineering students’ definitions of mental health. Proceedings of the Frontiers in Education (FIE) Conference, Washington, D.C.
Fitzpatrick, E., Mann, C., Chin, M. Y. & Deters, J. R. (2024, June 23-27). Board 132: Exploring the impact of professors and peer-relationships on undergraduate mechanical engineering students’ well-being. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Portland, OR. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--46690
Fitzpatrick, E., Idiaghe, N., Mann, C., Chin, M. Y. & Deters, J. R. (2024, June 23-27). Comparing first- and fourth-year undergraduate engineering experiences of first-generation students using narrative analysis. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Portland, OR. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--48482
Fitzpatrick, E., Baldwin, H., Adams, I., Chin, M. Y., & Deters, J. R. (2023, Sept. 10 – 12). What universities should know about minoritized undergraduate engineering students’ mental health. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Midwest Section Conference, Lincoln, NE. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2-610.1139-46383
Posters
Fitzpatrick, E. & Deters, J. R. (2024, August 5). Understanding How Finances Restrict Undergraduate Engineering Students and How YOU Can Help. UNL Engineering Summer Research Fair, Lincoln, NE. [Poster Session] [Poster]
Fitzpatrick, E., Mann, C., Chin, M. Y. & Deters, J. R. (2024, June 23-27). Exploring the impact of professors and peer-relationships on undergraduate mechanical engineering students’ well-being. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Portland, OR. [Poster Session]
Idiaghe, N. I. & Deters, J. R. (2024, March 27). Exploring the Impact of Professor and Peer Relationships on the Mental Health of Undergraduate Engineering Students. UNL Student Research Days: Graduate Student Poster Session, Lincoln, NE. [Winner for Engineering Poster Session Award] [Poster]
Fitzpatrick, E. & Deters, J. R. (2024, Feb. 25 – 27). Qualitatively exploring how finances constrain undergraduate engineering student experiences, mental health, and career opportunities. Proceedings of the Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD) Conference, Crystal City, VA. [Conference Presentation]
Workshops
Fitzpatrick, E., Daher, T. & Deters, J. R. (2024, Sept. 8 – 10). Adapting Teaching Practices to Support the Mental Health and Well-Being of Economically Disadvantaged Undergraduate Engineering Students. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Midwest Section Conference, Lawrence, KS. [Conference Workshop]