2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This work-in-progress, research paper explores the development and pilot of an interview protocol to investigate the formation and sustainability of college-industry partnerships (CIPs) with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). With over 16,000 WWTPs across the United States, the wastewater industry represents a largely untapped opportunity for engineering education partnerships. CIPs with WWTPs offer authentic learning environments that enhance student motivation, professional skill development, and real-world relevance. However, many faculty members lack the tools and frameworks to initiate and sustain such collaborations and pedagogical practices in their classrooms. This work aims to support faculty development by investigating best practices for forming and maintaining WWTP-based CIPs through the lens of stakeholder engagement.

The study employs a multi-case qualitative approach, focusing on semi-structured interviews with engineering faculty and WWTP collaborators. Interview protocol development is guided by Donaldson and Preston’s Stakeholder Theory Framework, which categorizes stakeholder interactions as descriptive, instrumental, or normative. Descriptive questions explore initial contact and communication methods; instrumental questions examine alignment of educational goals with industry needs; and normative questions address long-term sustainability, unexpected benefits, and stakeholder expectations. Thematic coding and comparative analysis will be conducted across cases, beginning with a pilot study involving faculty engaged in WWTP and public utilities partnerships.

By examining these aspects, this study seeks to equip faculty with the skills and insights needed to engage industry partners effectively. Ultimately, this work seeks to foster an environment of experiential learning and stakeholder collaboration in engineering curricula by leveraging the accessibility and relevance of the wastewater industry.