2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Abstract
Women and underrepresented minorities can help fill the ever-growing demand for engineers in the United States. Quality teaching methods, an understanding of the cognitive aspects of learning, and faculty addressing biases help ensure student success in engineering majors. Accordingly, the community college engineering pathway can help fill the national need for engineers.
This phenomenological study sought to describe the experience of students who choose the community college pathway toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. Thirteen participants were interviewed; all took engineering courses at the same community college, transferred to a four-year engineering university, and were progressing toward or have earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
The community college pathway offers a lower-cost, quality education, allowing students of all math levels access to an engineering degree with courses that transfer to a four-year institution. These students gained the skills necessary to be successful and were able to earn an engineering degree with little debt. Relationships with peers and authority figures were crucial to the students’ successful journey.
Through collaboration, students learn more and gain a deeper understanding of the material. Students need multiple sources of encouragement, recognition, and successes to persist toward an engineering degree. Seeing themselves in a role model is beneficial. Engineering lifestyle, comfort, money, and making a positive difference were factors in choosing an engineering major. Each participant experienced community, relationships, friendships, and were grateful they chose the community college pathway. The full results of this study are found in [1].