2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

In this study, the recruitment model termed IBIEE (Identify, Build, Integrate, Evaluate, Extend) was implemented to attract, advance, and advocate the participation of underrepresented engineering students to a research collaboration effort between The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and a National Laboratory. The purpose of the partnership between these two entities is meet the following goals: a) find innovative manufacturing techniques for weapons development, and b) prepare UTRGV students to conduct internships and be employed with the National Laboratory. Similarly, the internal aim of UTRGV is to 1) support student success in engineering by promoting the participation of underrepresented minorities in research venues and foster academic inclusion, development, and mentorship; and 2) increase the number of underrepresented students hired in the engineering workforce. The recruitment process began in the Spring 2024 semester incorporating the IBIEE model, which was centered on nurturing a disposition from the project PI and Co-PI’s to proactively identify and recruit engineering students into the research collaboration effort. Such recruitment process included five major components: 1) identify students in the classroom setting, 2) build relationships, 3) inquire about short and long-term academic interest, 4) evaluate academic interest, and 5) extend invitation to participate. To this end, a total of eleven underrepresented students from different engineering disciplines have been hired to participate in the project; three graduate students and eight undergraduate students. The mentorship model RCDD (Relationship, Commitment, Desire, and Disseminate) is being simultaneously adopted to promote engineering student success through a genuine mentorship role and prepare students for graduate school and post-graduation employment.