2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

WIP: Exploring Institutional Betrayal, Departmental Culture, and Career Outcomes in a Midwest Postdoctoral Scholar Program

Presented at Faculty Development Division (FDD) WIP Roundtable Session 1

Postdoctoral pathway programs are increasingly used to address underrepresentation in engineering academia, particularly in tenure-track faculty roles. Although these programs often articulate commitments to mentorship, protection, and institutional support, less is known about how such commitments are experienced by participants, especially during periods of institutional change. This work-in-progress paper examines the inaugural cohort of a postdoctoral scholar program at a Midwest university designed to facilitate transitions into faculty positions. Guided by Institutional Betrayal Theory, we explore how scholars experienced institutional consistency or betrayal as mediated by localized departmental cultures, institutional policies, and support structures. The study draws on multiple data sources, including previously collected testimonies from scholars and institutional artifacts. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis. Future data collection will include semi-structured interviews with seven scholars. Preliminary findings reveal that shifts in university hiring policies, coupled with departmental withdrawal of mentorship and avoidant behaviors, led to acts of omission and commission that undermined trust and increased uncertainty. Scholars’ experiences varied across departments, leading to divergent career outcomes. Findings also highlight the protective role of cohort-based support and advocacy from program leadership in mitigating isolation and navigating systemic challenges. The paper emphasizes the risks of institutional betrayal in diversity pathway programs and highlights the importance of institutional accountability, coordinated support, and cohort-based structures in sustaining early-career scholars.

Authors

Dr. Camila Olivero-Araya http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5251-3911 The Ohio State University [biography]

Camila is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Engineering Education at The Ohio State University. She earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción in Chile and her Ph.D. in Engineering Education from The Ohio State University.
Dr. Jameka Wiggins The Ohio State University [biography]

Dr. Jameka C. Wiggins strives to be a well-rounded scholar who exemplifies dedication to both people and scholarship.

Originally from Prince George’s County, she earned her Ph.D. in Engineering Education from The Ohio State University, specializing in Organizational Change in Higher Education and Industry. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Ohio State.

Dr. Wiggins’ research examines how engineering faculty’s positionalities and lived experiences shape their critical consciousness development. As both a scholar and advocate, she is committed to amplifying minoritized voices in engineering through research and mentorship.
Beyond her academic work, Dr. Wiggins serves as an Upward Bound Advisor at Columbus State Community College, volunteers with See Brilliance, a Columbus-based STEM nonprofit, and enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She has been recognized by UMBC for advancing the vision of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program and by Ohio State’s Department of Engineering Education for her scholarly contributions as a graduate researcher.

Dr. Wiggins strives to inspire future scholars and practitioners to lead with intention, consciousness, and care, while fostering meaningful change that bridges research and practice.
Dr. Monica Cox http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9803-4740 The Ohio State University [biography]

Monica F. Cox, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at The Ohio State University.
Amena Shermadou The Ohio State University [biography]

Amena Shermadou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at The Ohio State University. Her research agenda explores how marginalized communities navigate dominant discourses in engineering, with particular attention to the experiences of Muslim students. Broadly, her work contributes to efforts to decolonize engineering education by uplifting alternative knowledge systems and challenging Eurocentric norms embedded in engineering curricula. Prior to her current role at Ohio State, she was a Visiting Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering Education at Purdue. Amena earned her PhD in Engineering Education at The Ohio State University and received her B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Wright State University.

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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