The Scholars of Excellence in Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS) program is a National Science Foundation sponsored scholarship granting program at Gannon University. Through the first seven years of scholarship granting (2009 – 2015), SEECS helped 77 students pursue the goal of graduation from college with a STEM degree, specifically a degree in an engineering or computer science related field. This paper analyzes data from current and previous SEECS students confirming previously-published data pointing to “roadblock” courses which most often lead to GPA trouble (i.e. cumulative GPA less than 3.0), and investigates techniques which are or have been implemented to improve student academic success. Strong correlations have been noted between specific letter grade thresholds in identified courses and eventual separation from the SEECS program for low GPA. Intervention strategies for students who have stumbled in one or more roadblock courses, as well as generally-implemented practices conducted by the university and the SEECS program, are discussed. Consideration is given to intervention techniques presented in previously-published literature, with respect to feasibility for inclusion in an honors-type engineering program such as SEECS.
Dr. Scott Steinbrink is an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, primarily tasked with teaching computer methods and design.
Karinna M. Vernaza is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department and Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Business, Gannon University (Erie, PA). She joined Gannon University in 2003 with primarily teaching responsibilities in the solids mechanics field and introduction to engineering courses. Her academic background includes a B.S. is in Marine Systems Engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and a M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame; her industry experience includes shipyard project management and consulting for Off-High Vehicles projects for GE Transportation. She was awarded the 2012 ASEE NCS Outstanding Teacher Award, 2013 Gannon University Distinguished Faculty Award and 2013-2014 Gannon University Faculty Award for Excellence in Service-Learning. She is one of the Principal Investigators of three NSF S-STEM and one ADVANCE-PAID grants.
Theresa M. Vitolo is an Associate Professor (retired) in the Computer and Information Science Department, Gannon University (Erie, PA). Teaching in systems-related fields since 1986, she joined the Computer and Information Science Department at Gannon University in 1999. In addition to teaching, she has worked as a systems analyst / programmer on a variety of systems development projects. Her academic background includes a B.S.E. in industrial engineering and a Ph.D. in information science; her industry experience includes systems analysis and cognitive science applications. She was one of the Principal Investigators on two NSF S-STEM and one NSF ADVANCE-PAID grants. With a life-long interest in technology and its potential for enhancing human capabilities, her research includes advances in analytics, motivated system energetics, and other topics relative to knowledge-intensive systems.
Are you a researcher? Would you like to cite this paper? Visit the ASEE document repository at peer.asee.org for more tools and easy citations.