2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Work-in-Progress: From Composting to Community: Toward a Multidisciplinary Community of Practice Model for STEM Research and Leadership Self-Efficacy

Presented at Multidisciplinary Engineering Division (MULTI) Technical Session 9: Laboratory and Community-based Learning

This work-in-progress (WIP) describes a multidisciplinary research and outreach program designed to cultivate leadership and professional identities among students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. From Fall 2021 through Spring 2025, this research and outreach program has been funded by the Office of Sustainability at a Southeastern R1 university. This program has supported annual cohorts of undergraduate and graduate student researchers investigating sustainable composting solutions. As this funded period has recently concluded, this WIP paper serves as a preliminary reflection on the program’s blueprint for its impact and future evolution.

Each academic year, a rigorous application and interview process selects a new cohort of multidisciplinary student researchers (typically four to eight undergraduates and one graduate research assistant). The program’s central component is the establishment of a community of practice (CoP), in which students are mentored by research faculty and staff in engineering and science. This structure integrates mentored research opportunities with student-led community outreach engagements to transfer scientific knowledge to the broader campus community. This focus on research and public engagement aims to strengthen students’ STEM identities by fostering self-efficacy and a sense of belonging, preparing them for future leadership roles.

This WIP presents the establishment and development of sustainable CoP infrastructure to foster a sense of belonging and professional skills related to research and leadership. It focuses on intentional strategies for creating opportunities for participants to lead, plan, and execute sustainability-focused research and outreach. The implications of this work provide a replicable framework for other institutions seeking to establish similar STEM leadership development programs with limited budgets. Specifically, this WIP includes learned practices for securing and sustaining internal funding, forming mutually beneficial faculty-student collaborations, and strategically building a CoP that promotes confidence, creativity, curiosity, and the benefits of parallel sustainability research and community outreach.

Authors

Dr. Veronica Mbaneme North Carolina State University at Raleigh [biography]

Veronica Mbaneme is a triple alumna of the Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University (NCSU), with research focusing on biological systems engineering, product development, and engineering education. Currently, she serves as a Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar for the Engineering ASCEND Program at NCSU. Veronica teaches academic and professional development courses to first-year engineering and computer science students, conducts K-12 engineering outreach activities, manages several research initiatives, and leads a multitude of programs related to recruitment, yield, retention, and graduation of undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, she executes career readiness, leadership, and mental health workshops, engages with industry, alumni, and university partners to aid in student success, and provide a brave and safe space for students to authentically be present for quality and timely advising and mentorship. Thus far, her work has been extremely rewarding, as she has helped hundreds of students gain confidence, global perspective, real-world experience, research opportunities, and happiness in their career choices.
Chloe Hincher North Carolina State University at Raleigh [biography]

Chloe is a third-year Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering at NC State University and UNC-Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on decellularized extracellular matrix biomaterials for wound healing and tissue regeneration. Chloe is also involved in engineering education through the NC State Grand Challenges Scholars Program, where she contributes to curriculum development that supports undergraduate research and sustainability. Her interests within Engineering Education include communities of practice, undergraduate research experiences, and fostering student identity and belonging in STEM.
Dr. Laurie Brummitt http://orcid.org/0009-0006-0023-0895 North Carolina State University at Raleigh [biography]

Laurie Brummitt, PhD, is the Program Coordinator for the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) in the College of Engineering at NC State University. With a diverse professional background spanning sales, marketing, and workforce development, Dr. Brummitt specializes in research and evaluation within K-12, adult learning and engineering education. She is dedicated to empowering the next generation of engineers by helping them navigate the competencies required to solve the world’s most pressing Grand Challenges.
Dr. Olgha Bassam Qaqish North Carolina State University at Raleigh [biography]

Olgha B. Qaqish, Ph.D. is an engineering educator and researcher, who has experience working with students at all levels in science, math, engineering, and technology (STEM). Dr. Qaqish is an author of a mathematics textbook: Algebra Essentials. She currently serves as the director of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program and instructor of first-year engineering courses at NC State University.

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