2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Comparison of Voluntary and Paid Undergraduate Research Experiences

Presented at Student Division (STDT) Technical Session 8

This paper is a work-in-progress (WIP). Undergraduate engineering and computing students have various possibilities of engaging in research, including volunteering or participating in a dedicated program. Several engineering and computing education studies focus on the potential contribution of undergraduate research experiences to engineering students’ skill acquisition, persistence, and success. However, this prior research does not compare volunteer research experiences with paid and structured research experiences to investigate potential differences that exist. The purpose of this work-in-progress study is to compare students’ prior experience participating in research on a voluntary basis versus their current experience in an organized undergraduate research program, the Opportunities for Undergraduate Research and Opportunities (OURS) program. The OURS program is housed within the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University, where undergraduate students ranging from freshmen to seniors work alongside a faculty mentor. These students engage in research for 10 to 15 hours per week on average and are provided with a monthly stipend during the Fall and Spring semesters. Participants submit monthly progress report forms to document their research activities. After one semester participating in the OURS program, those who previously participated in research on a voluntary basis will complete an open-ended survey asking them to reflect on their experiences volunteering compared to participating in the OURS program. The participants’ survey responses will be analyzed as text using a three-cycle thematic analysis to identify salient themes across their experiences. The findings from this study will contribute to engineering and computing education scholarship by providing a more in-depth understanding of the impact of different types of undergraduate research experiences for engineering and computing students.

Authors

Victoria Veliz Florida International University [biography]

Victoria Veliz is a Doctoral Student in Mechanical Engineering at Florida International University (FIU), where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She currently serves as a Graduate Assistant at FIU’s Center for Development, Support, and Success in Engineering and Computing (CDSSEC), providing administrative and program support to ensure the smooth execution of the center’s initiatives that promote student success in engineering and computing as well as the daily operations of the center. Additionally, she is an active member of the Thriving in Research and Academics in Computing and Engineering Education (TRACE) research group. TRACE focuses on advancing engineering and computing education through evidence-based research on student pathways, learning experiences, and outcomes across the K–20 pipeline, with the goal of informing scalable, equitable, and data-informed educational practices. Dedicated and innovative, she is committed to advancing engineering education and practical research through collaborative, data-driven approaches.
Thelma Yolany del Cid Duron Florida International University [biography]

Thelma del Cid is a Doctoral Student in Mechanical Engineering at Florida International University (FIU), where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. Her professional experience includes several years as a Quality Control Associate at Cordis, where she supported design verification for cardiovascular and endovascular medical devices through comprehensive mechanical and functional testing. Her work centered on ensuring safety, performance, and regulatory compliance across multiple phases of product development.
As a Graduate Assistant for the Center for Development, Support, and Success in Engineering and Computing (CDSSEC), she oversees the engineering peer tutoring program. In this role, she manages tutor coordination, scheduling, and daily operations to ensure accessible academic support while contributing to the academic development of engineering and computing students.
Bailey Bond-Trittipo Florida International University [biography]

Bailey Bond-Trittipo is an engineering and computing education Ph.D. student in the School of Universal Computing, Construction, and Engineering Education (SUCCEED) at Florida International University. Her work centers on understanding how systems of oppression shape the culture of undergraduate engineering education and developing strategies to support engineering students in resisting oppression within institutions of higher education and society more broadly.
Mais Kayyali Florida International University [biography]

Ms. Mais Kayyali serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Development, Support, and Success in Engineering and Computing (CDSSEC) at Florida International University’s College of Engineering & Computing (CEC). As a higher education administrator and post-traditional doctoral candidate, she drives advancements in STEM education, student success, and workforce development through strategic, data-informed leadership and collaborative cross-functional partnerships.
In her role, Ms. Kayyali offers senior leadership across CDSSEC initiatives spanning K–12 to graduate education, integrating scholarly research with large-scale program administration to enhance support systems and pathways in engineering and computing. To strengthen the Center’s research and scholarly profile, she founded the Thriving in Research and Academics in Computing and Engineering Education (TRACE) research group. Through TRACE, our work examines CDSSEC programs and their impact across multiple stages of the K–20 educational pipeline. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Engineering and Computing Education in the Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering and Computing Education, Systems and Management (ESM), focusing her dissertation on how institutional agents support the thriving of post-traditional doctoral students in engineering and computing education programs.
Her administrative portfolio encompasses oversight of CDSSEC’s student-led initiatives (EoW, SPARK, and GEAR-UP), school-partnered programs (FLAME, ENLACE), student resources (peer tutoring and scholarships), and research programs (OURS and GROW). With an interdisciplinary background—including a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, a Master’s degree in Hospitality Management, and doctoral training in Engineering and Computing Education—she offers a distinctive blend of strategic program management, academic leadership, and research expertise.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Kayyali held progressive leadership and administrative positions within the CEC. She led the Graduate Education, Admissions, and Recruitment (GEAR) team and provided strategic administrative support to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Office of the Dean. Earlier, she served as Program Coordinator/Coordinator of Administrative Services in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and as Program Assistant in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE). These cumulative experiences across graduate education, academic affairs, and departmental operations have equipped her with comprehensive institutional insight and a systems-level perspective that informs her leadership today.
Mr. Rodrigo Barboza Prado Florida International University [biography]

Rodrigo Carlo Barboza Prado is the Graduate Assistant for the Center for Development, Support, and Success in Engineering and Computing (CDSSEC) and the Multidisciplinary Engineering and Computing Education, Systems and Management (ESM) at Florida International University (FIU). Rodrigo holds a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and is pursuing a doctorate in Engineering and Computing Education at FIU. His research focuses on community-based relationships in engineering outreach and building engineering identity, supporting different NSF funded initiatives.

As the Graduate Assistant in charge of Engineers on Wheels (EoW), he oversees operations and team coordination of the program. With a strong interest in Engineering Management, he is passionate about bridging the gap between engineering education and real-world application throughout the college’s various outreach programs and STEAM activities.

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