2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The Influence of Belongingness and Academic Support during a Global Pandemic for Engineering Students through Participation in an S-STEM Intervention Project

Dr. George K. Quainoo, Dept of Physics and Engineering, North Park University, Chicago, IL

Dr. Elizabeth Gray, Dept of Psychology, North Park University, Chicago, IL

Dr. Sunshine Silver, Dept of Chemistry, North Park University, Chicago, IL

Dr. Timothy Lin, Dept of Biology, North Park University, Chicago, IL

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this S-STEM intervention project is to provide support for talented but financially needy students to increase degree completion and successful job placement in STEM fields. The project provides support through scholarship funding and participation in an academic cohort designed to provide experiential learning in career-relevant spaces. Students in our sample were completing their STEM degrees during the recent “COVID years”, a time when they were not only at risk due to financial hardship, but also separated physically from teachers, peers, mentors, and opportunities. Although COVID had a negative effect on the types of experiences available to these students, participation in this program has helped them to thrive, persist and succeed. Through group meetings, guest speakers, career development participation and trips to engineering industry sites, the group developed professional relationships with peers and faculty, and belongingness within the university community. While in the program students were assessed yearly on the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal, and measures of cognitive flexibility, attitudes about STEM, grit, self-control, professional readiness, and involvement. The psychological connection, made possible by this program, has led to academic growth and professional development which in turn has supported degree completion and job placement success for students. Specifically, students, despite a pandemic, showed growth in academic performance, cognitive skills, and career networks through the support of their S-STEM mentor, program guidance, tutoring, and internship opportunities.