2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This paper builds upon the 2023 NSF-funded research project led by Drs. Berhan and Lucietto investigated academic and career pathways for engineering technology students. While the initial publication focused on the study's findings from Phases 1 and 2, this follow-up highlights the collaborative processes and interdisciplinary contributions that enabled the project’s success.

The study brought together researchers from multiple institutions, each offering expertise in engineering education, survey design, and data analysis. Team members played critical roles in shaping the research design, refining the Phase 2 survey instrument, and interpreting data to generate actionable recommendations. This paper details how the team coordinated across institutional boundaries, leveraged diverse disciplinary perspectives, and maintained alignment with NSF priorities throughout the project lifecycle.

A central feature of this paper is the inclusion of individual reflections from each researcher, offering insight into how participation in the project contributed to their professional growth, expanded their understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration, and deepened their engagement with STEM education research. These personal narratives provide a rich, qualitative layer to the study, illustrating how collaborative research can foster learning, adaptability, and innovation among team members. The paper also reflects on key lessons learned from managing a multi-phase, multi-institutional NSF study, offering insights for future grantees seeking to build and sustain productive research teams.