2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

[Work in Progress] Lessons Learned from a Collaborative NSF REU Program Thematically Centered on STEM Research for Social Change and Its Impact Through Community Engaged Learning

This paper examines the inaugural cohort of a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU) program designed to foster interdisciplinary STEM research for social change, specifically aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Collaborative efforts among three universities enabled participants—science and engineering undergraduates in their first to third years—to engage in research projects that aimed to promote social equity and community transformation. Through this program, participants not only strengthened their technical expertise in engineering, chemistry, and physics, but also deepened their ethical awareness of the social, cultural and environmental implications of their research. The paper highlights the lessons learned in managing and facilitating the program, with a focus on leveraging regional resources to create meaningful experiential learning opportunities. It discusses how participants were encouraged to explore their identity formation and its impact on STEM career development while fostering a sense of belonging and self-efficacy in their fields. Using a mixed methods evaluation and assessment approach, findings suggest several implications: (a) an increase in participants' awareness and skills within STEM fields, potentially enhancing interest in these areas; (b) a greater understanding of social change partnerships and their integration into higher education research; and (c) transformed practices that could prepare more students for STEM careers. Emphasizing educational research in engineering and community engagement, this paper discusses the critical importance of promoting access, respect, and opportunity for all in fostering successful community partnerships and addressing environmental issues such as biodegradation, solid waste management, and pollution prevention. Activities focused on complex social issues surrounding food insecurity and availability of healthy food in urban communities as well as successful citizen reentry from prison into communities will also be discussed.

Authors

Dr. Leanne Petry Central State University [biography]

Dr. Leanne Petry is a Materials Engineer and Professor in the College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (CESTA) at Central State University (CSU). Her expertise lies in analytical and materials characterization techniques, including microscopy, spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemistry. Her research focuses on electrode surface oxidation-reduction reactions for sensor applications, material corrosion mechanisms, and electrochemical degradation. She is a strong advocate for integrating high-impact practices, such as problem-based learning, into lectures, laboratories, and outreach initiatives to enhance student and community engagement in STEM education.
Dr. Kenya Crosson University of Dayton [biography]

Dr. Kenya Crosson serves as Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Affairs and Research in the School of Engineering at the University of Dayton (UD), and she is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Mechanics. A UD faculty member since 2007, Kenya teaches undergraduate and graduate courses; manages an environmental engineering research program; and uses her professional skills to advance initiatives and outreach at the university, in her STEM field, and her community. Kenya teaches courses in engineering design, hydraulics, water treatment, and water quality. Her research program focuses on water treatment and water quality, and she collaborates with diverse, interdisciplinary teams to develop, characterize, and evaluate new materials for drinking water and wastewater treatment applications. Dr. Crosson’s leadership activities allow her to work collaboratively to advance institutional goals and mission within her department, the School of Engineering, and the university. She facilitated the strategic planning implementation team’s revisioning of the School of Engineering’s promotion and tenure policies for tenure track faculty, lecturers, and professors of practice; served a three-year term as the UD Learning Teaching Center’s Faculty Development Fellow for Diversity and Inclusion, provides workshops on inclusive teaching and anti-racism for the university community; participates in the American Society of Engineering Educators Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and provides workshops and webinars for the Sloan Scholars Mentoring Network’s community of graduates of the Sloan Minority PhD Program. Dr. Crosson is a 2018 HERS Leadership Institute alumna and an alumna fellow of the 2021-2022 Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering and Science (ELATES) Program.
Margaret Pinnell Air Force Institute of Technology [biography]

Dr. Pinnell serves as the Director for Talent Development and Organizational Improvement at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Prior to taking this role, she worked at the University of Dayton for over two decades. While at the University of Dayton she held a number of administrative positions including Associate Dean of Faculty and Staff Development and Interim Dean in the School of Engineering, and the Assistant Provost for Learning and Executive Director of the Learning Teaching Center for the Office of the Provost. Her areas of scholarship include experimental mechanics of materials, teaching and learning, K-12 STEM. Dr. Pinnell is actively engaged in ASEE, WEPAN and DO STEM.
Dr. Melissa Karlin St. Mary's University [biography]

Dr. Melissa Karlin serves as the Director of Office Student Research and Inquiry (OSRI) at St. Mary's University (StMU), and is a Professor of Environmental Science and Sustainability. A StMU faculty member since 2012, Melissa teaches undergraduate courses in GIS, ecology, experimental design, and conservation biology. Her research focuses on wildlife ecology and conservation genetics applications with canids. Dr. Karlin is the lead StMU PI on three National Science Foundation grants and as the Director of OSRI, co-manages an annual 2-day research symposium for StMU students, faculty and staff.
Dr. Ramanitharan Kandiah http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7778-8110 Central State University [biography]

Professor of Environmental Engineering, Chair, Department of Water Resources, Engineering and Industrial Technology, Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering. He is a registered Professional Civil Engineer in Ohio, Certified Professional Hydrologist
Prof. Krishnakumar V. Nedunuri Central State University [biography]

Dr. Nedunuri holds appointment as a Professor at Central State University (CSU) in the International Center for Water Resources Management (ICWRM). He teaches Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics, Soil and Water Pollution, Water Chemistry, Water Supply, Groundw
Dr. Kaitlin Hill http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2035-2738 St. Mary's University [biography]

Dr. Hill is an Assistant Professor of in the Mathematics Department at St. Mary's University. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and teaches calculus, probability, statistics, and applied mathematics courses. Her research focuses on applied dynamical systems and mathematical modeling, with application areas in climate dynamics and social systems.
Dr. Corinne Mowrey University of Dayton [biography]

Dr. Corinne Mowrey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Management, Systems and Technology at the University of Dayton. She received her BS in Civil Engineering from the Ohio State University, and both her MS in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering and PhD in Engineering from Wright State University.
Dr. Kellie Schneider The Foodbank, Inc. (Dayton, OH) [biography]

Dr. Kellie Schneider is the Chief Knowledge Officer at The Foodbank, Inc. where she is responsible for gathering, evaluating, integrating, and distributing data and information in support of The Foodbank’s mission – “eliminating hunger and its root causes”. Prior to joining the leadership team at The Foodbank, Kellie served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Management, Systems, and Technology at the University of Dayton as well as an Instructor in the Freshman Engineering Program at the University of Arkansas.
Elizabeth Generas Wright State University [biography]

Elizabeth Generas is an external evaluator for education and social justice projects. She completed a graduate certificate in Program Evaluation from Wright State University, where she is also a doctoral candidate in the Doctor of Organization Studies program.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

For those interested in:

1st Generation
Academia-Industry Connections
Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology