2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Peer-to-peer accountability: Bolstering the social and professional support structures for Veterans to increase engineering degree completion

Presented at Veteran-ready Teaching and Learning in Engineering

Purpose: This paper will examine the findings of a three-year, NSF-funded project to increase the persistence of Veteran students in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's asynchronous online engineering programs. The research investigated social and academic factors that increase support for veteran and adult students, a population traditionally underrepresented in undergraduate engineering.

Methodology: The mixed-methods research study explored the effects of peer-led collaborative learning in 22 sections of six online engineering courses: aerodynamics, digital circuits, fluid mechanics, statics, and thermodynamics. A veteran student population of 52% participated. Data on veteran and non-veteran students in peer intervention groups were compared to a control group without peer support. Proficiencies in evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning were assessed through instructional activities.

Findings: Results show that peer-led activities produced statistically significant gains in veteran students' academic performance and fostered a stronger engineering identity. Veteran participants in peer learning achieved higher average final grades than non-participants. These collaborative activities were designed to leverage the leadership, professionalism, and practical experience of the veteran population.

Implications: The adapted collaborative learning practices, proven effective in this online environment, offer a promising model for supporting non-traditional students. The paper outlines these best practices to inform instructional strategies at other institutions seeking to better support adult and veteran students in online engineering programs.

Authors

David Paul Harvie http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2576-3349 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide [biography]

David Paul Harvie is an Assistant Professor in the College of Aviation Graduate Studies Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide Campus. David has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Kansas, a M.S. in Computer Science from North Carolina State University, and a B.S. in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy. He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
Dr. Kimberly A Luthi http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-3998-4567 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide [biography]

Kimberly Luthi serves as the Applied Aerospace Science Department Chair for the College of Aviation at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. She has made extensive contributions on workforce development research and education training preparation to support an inclusive talent pipeline for the aerospace industry. With over 15 years of experience in talent management and workforce education, she has worked with a diverse range of stakeholders to identify the critical skills gaps in industry. Her background encompasses both her professional experience and research in autonomous systems and successful collaboration with industry to align the curriculum with industry needs. Her work focuses on creating accessible pathways into the space field through innovative training programs that will sustain a future workforce both in the civil and commercial sectors. She holds a Ph.D. from Old Dominion University, a Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and my Master of Science and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida. Her professional background includes serving in various administrative roles on sponsored projects across STEM disciplines. She is a FAA-certified remote pilot, an AUVSI Trusted Operator Program Instructor and holds the AUVSI Trusted Operator Program™ Level I, 2, 3 and Fundamentals of Instruction Certifications.
John K Wilson Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide

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