2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

A Literature Review of Global Competencies for Engineering Students

Presented at International Division (INTL) Technical Session 1: Developing Global Competency in Engineering Education

With the growing need for an interconnected workforce, there is an increasing demand for college graduates to develop global professional skills. This paper reviews existing literature to identify core global competencies essential for engineering students and examines the evidence supporting their importance in today’s workforce. It synthesizes key frameworks, research findings, and industry perspectives to clarify which skills are most critical for success in global and intercultural work environments. These global competencies encompass technical, interpersonal, and intercultural abilities that enable engineering students to work effectively across diverse settings. In this review, particular attention is given to professional skills such as adaptability, cross-cultural communication, ethical awareness, and problem-solving. Drawing from a combination of scholarly research and industry reports, the paper highlights the global competencies most relevant to engineering education and analyzes their impact on students’ academic, professional, and personal development. Results of this study will identify common themes and global competencies for continuous course and program improvement in Global Engineering Programs in the College of Engineering at the [institution]. The Global Engineering Program aligns with broad institutional goals of fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competency, aiming to produce engineers with global leadership capabilities. This study will help to ensure program content and student outcomes are current, relevant, and aligned with literature.

Authors

Cassandra Grace Friend Pennsylvania State University
Ariana Sofia Gonzalez Miranda Pennsylvania State University
Natalie Ann Monahan Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Robert J. Rabb P.E. The Pennsylvania State University [biography]

Robert Rabb is the associate dean for education in the College of Engineering at Penn State. He previously served as a professor and the Mechanical Engineering Department Chair at The Citadel. He previously taught mechanical engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United Military Academy and his M.S. and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. His research and teaching interests are in mechatronics, regenerative power, and multidisciplinary engineering.
Dr. Patrick Tunno Penn State University [biography]

Patrick J. Tunno is an Associate Teaching Professor in the College of Engineering and Director of the Center for Global Engineering Engagement at The Pennsylvania State University. He previously served as a faculty member in the Italian Department at Penn State and as a faculty member at Virginia Tech, where he held a leadership role as coordinator of the Presidential Global Scholars Program in University Honors. He began his career as a legislative aide on foreign policy and judiciary issues in Washington, D.C. He received his B.S. in Management and B.A. in Italian Language and Literature from Penn State, his MBA from SDA Bocconi University, and his Ph.D. in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State. His research and teaching interests are in global competency development, global engineering education, and leadership development, with a focus on the design and impact of international and intercultural learning experiences.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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