2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The goal of this project is to increase STEM degree enrollment and completion among low-income, high-achieving students with financial need, who are starting in a two-year engineering technology program. The approach entails supporting students with curricular pathways and financial aid towards four-year bachelor’s and master’s programs in engineering. As technology and automation become increasingly embedded across industries, the demand for advanced education is crucial, revealing a skills gap in the current workforce. To address this, the project emphasizes cohort development, fostering a supportive group dynamic that enhances learning and caters to individual needs, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach. Key outcomes include administering 128 scholarships over six years, filling the prerequisite knowledge gap through learning modules, and aligning resources to support student progress. There has been considerable learning and continuous improvement throughout the rollout of this program. Some initial findings from the first three years are presented here. A program cohort was formed through a selection process of the eligible applicants. All students in the cohort received an academic scholarship supported by an NSF S-STEM grant at Miami University. A total of 248 students applied, and 43 completed at least one year of the program. Across the first three years, 96% of students in the program have been retained at the university. The program’s demographics include 27% female students and 64% white students. At baseline, the participants did not significantly differ from those in the waitlist control condition. Across a year of the program, participants reported an increase in their ‘sense of belonging in STEM’, and their ‘reasons for choosing to study engineering.’ Across the program, the vast majority of students were retained. However, additional work is needed to bolster their sense of belonging and identity in their field.