2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The Husky PAWS (Pathways for Academic Wellness and Success) S-STEM Program: Year Two

Presented at NSF Grantees Poster Session I

The Husky PAWS (Pathways for Academic Wellness and Success) program at Michigan Tech leverages Yosso’s Cultural Wealth Model [1] framework to select and mentor S-STEM scholars. Husky PAWS began in 2023 with cohort scholar applications reviewed in Spring 2024 and 2025. Selected scholars participated in a 3-week Husky PAWS Summer Bridge in 2024 (Cohort 1) and in 2025 (Cohort 2). Cohort 1 included 6 students and Cohort 2 included 8 scholars. In addition to Cohort Scholars, 12 students received one-year finishing scholarships in their final year before graduating with a B.S. The ultimate program goals are increasing retention and graduation rates of these Pell-eligible scholars to those of non-Pell students.

Centering the Husky PAWS S-STEM scholars as experts in their own lived experience, the Husky PAWS S-STEM program takes a participatory action research (PAR) approach to improving our program. One of the Husky PAWS S-STEM scholars is funded to serve as a PAR co-researcher alongside our project team. This PAR research has worked with our team for over a year refining and improving survey tools and assessment instruments. In addition, a team of Peer Mentors actively engages and guides the S-STEM scholars via academic and social events.

This paper will highlight progress over the two years of the project, and offer key takeaways of the Husky PAWS S-STEM program and adaptation of the Cultural Wealth Model.

[1] T. J. Yosso. “Whose culture has capital? A critical race theory discussion of community cultural wealth.” Race Ethnicity and Education 8(1), 2005, p. 69-91.

Authors

Dr. Adrienne Minerick http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2382-7831 Michigan Technological University [biography]

Adrienne R. Minerick is a Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering.
Dr. Michelle E Jarvie-Eggart P.E. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6795-3899 Michigan Technological University [biography]

Dr. Jarvie-Eggart is a registered professional engineer with over a decade of experience as an environmental engineer. She is an Assistant Professor of Engineering Fundamentals at Michigan Technological University. Her research interests include technology adoption, problem based and service learning, and sustainability.
Dr. Kathryn Laura Hannum Michigan Technological University [biography]

Dr. Hannum is a Geographer who studies questions related to national and migrant identity. Her research is primarily focused on the hispanic world.
Briana C Bettin Michigan Technological University [biography]

Dr.Briana Bettin is an assistant professor of Computer Science and Cognitive and Learning Sciences at Michigan Technological University. Her research goals intersect computing education, user experience, and reimagining sociotechnical design through consideration of human communication, learning, interest, and impacts.
Sunyoung Ahn Michigan Technological University
Jose Manuel Padilla Michigan Technological University
Dr. Catherine L. Cohan The Pennsylvania State University [biography]

Catherine Cohan, Ph.D. has been a research psychologist for over 20 years. Her areas of expertise include engineering education, retention of underrepresented students, measurement, and assessment. She is currently an Assistant Research Professor and coor

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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