Exploring Enculturation in the First-Year Engineering Program
Culture is defined as the set of beliefs, customs, and or arts of a particular group. Engineering enculturation can be defined as the process by which an engineering student learns the traditional content of an engineering culture and assimilates its engineering practices and values. Examples of content, practices and values in the engineering culture are, among others, algorithmic thinking, teamwork, problem solving, or engineering design.
Enculturation and acculturation have been investigated in the humanities with little connections to the engineering profession. Enculturation can be understood as the acquisition of a culture, or in this case, the assimilation to the engineering culture. This funded research can help in the understanding of the engineering academic programs, seen from a perspective of “enculturation process into the engineering profession”. It can also shed light to the first year engineering programs, as a first step into this cultural assimilation process.
The assimilation process to the engineering culture can be associated to engineering outcomes as defined by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and through common outcomes among engineering programs, including first year engineering programs. A group of professors at a university located in the southwestern region of the United States are conducting engineering enculturation research based on self- reported student’s perceptions as well as performance indicators (i.e. grades) of at least 400 first year engineering students. In this work in progress, a Likert-based survey is administered to students followed by targeted focus groups. Results of these perceptions are compared to performance indicators. Given the importance of representation in engineering, underrepresented groups are specially considered and researched.
Since publications and reports show that attrition is high during the first year engineering program, this inquiry seeks to explore the enculturation of individuals new to the profession. This paper contains the initial results from this work in progress to investigate enculturation of first year engineering students.
Dr. Mendoza Diaz is Instructional Assistant Professor at the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. She obtained her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in Educational Administration and Human Resource Development and worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher with the Institute for P-12 Engineering Research and Learning-INSPIRE at the School of Engineering Education-Purdue University. She was a recipient of the Apprentice Faculty Grant from the Educational Research Methods ASEE Division in 2009. She also has been an Electrical Engineering Professor. Dr. Mendoza is interested in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Engineering Students, Latino Studies in Engineering, and Entrepreneurship in Engineering Education.
So Yoon Yoon, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Education, College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) at the University of Cincinnati. She received her Ph.D. in Gifted Education, and an M.S.Ed. in Research Methods and Measurement with a specialization in Educational Psychology, both from Purdue University. Her work centers on engineering education research as a psychometrician, program evaluator, and data analyst, with research interests in spatial ability, creativity, engineering-integrated STEM education, and research synthesis. As a psychometrician, she has revised, developed, and validated more than 10 instruments beneficial for STEM education practice and research. She has authored/co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings and served as a journal reviewer in engineering education, STEM education, and educational psychology. She has also served as a co-PI, an external evaluator, or an advisory board member on several NSF-funded projects.
Dr. Richard got his Ph. D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1989 & a B. S. at Boston University, 1984. He was at NASA Glenn, 1989-1995, taught at Northwestern for Fall 1995, worked at Argonne National Lab, 1996-1997, Chicago State, 1997-2002. Dr. Richard is a Sr. Lecturer & Research Associate in Aerospace Engineering @ Texas A&M since 1/03. His research is focused on computational plasma modeling using spectral and lattice Boltzmann methods for studying plasma turbulence and plasma jets. His research has also included fluid physics and electric propulsion using Lattice-Boltzmann methods, spectral element methods, Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO), etc.
Past research includes modeling single and multi-species plasma flows through ion thruster optics and the discharge cathode assembly; computer simulations of blood flow interacting with blood vessels; modeling ocean-air interaction; reacting flow systems; modeling jet engine turbomachinery going unstable at NASA for 6 years (received NASA Performance Cash awards). Dr. Richard is involved in many outreach activities: e.g., tutoring, mentoring, directing related grants (for example, a grant for an NSF REU site). Dr, Richard is active in professional societies (American Physical Society (APS), American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), etc.), ASEE, ASME. Dr. Richard has authored or co-authored about 25 technical articles (19 of which are refereed publications). Dr. Richard teaches courses ranging from first-year introductory engineering design, fluid mechanics, to space plasma propulsion.
Delivering significant results in pivotal roles such as Sr. Consultant to high-profile clients, Sr. Project Manager directing teams, and Executive Leader of initiatives and programs that boost organizational effectiveness and optimize operations have been hallmarks of Dr. Wickliff’s career spanning more than 31 years with leaders in the oil & gas, semiconductor, construction services industries as well as academia.
As an expert in the areas of Executive Leadership and Team Development, Project/Program Management, Strategy Design & Execution, Supply Chain Optimization, Change Management, System Integration and LEAN Process Improvement (technical, business and academia), Dr. Wickliff is passionate about Organizational Wellness and the Holistic Wellness of individuals. She is also a professional Facilitator and Motivational Speaker.
Dr. Wickliff earned a PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering from Texas A&M University where she combined Industrial Engineering and Organizational Development to conduct research in the area of talent management and organizational effectiveness. She also completed an executive MBA from the University of Texas-Dallas and a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston. She is founder of a nationally recognized pre-college initiative program, FreshStart, which has served more than 2000 students since its inception.
Dr. Wickliff is blessed to work daily in the area of her passion – developing young professionals – in her role at Texas A&M University. She is a Professor of Engineering Practice. At Texas A&M University, she has taught Capstone Senior Design, Statics & Dynamics, Engineering Ethics, Engineering Leadership and Foundations of Engineering courses in the First Year Experience. She also Mentors students and is excited to have a 100% graduation rate of her Posse Scholar Mentees all of which were from under represented ethnic groups and primarily first generation students. She has also taught Project Management and Risk Management courses for the University of Phoenix.
Dr. Wickliff has been honored with University of Houston’s Distinguished Young Engineering Alumni Award, the Black Engineer of the Year Career Achievement Award for New Emerging Leaders Award and featured in several publications. She has presented keynote addresses, facilitated workshops and given motivational presentations at numerous civic and corporate forums domestically and internationally. She is a contributing author to Tavis Smiley’s book, “Keeping the Faith”, with her inspiring life story. Dr. Wickliff was honored to write the forward for her youngest son's book, "Young And Driven" which chronicles his historical journey from youngest engineer in the nation at age 19 to youngest Harvard Law graduate at 22 and more. A crowning achievement for her life was when she was blessed to hood her son on stage, Dr. Cortlan J. Wickliff, Esq., at his PhD graduation from her same program at Texas A&M University after he delivered the key note address. She believes that her life’s calling and thus career quest is to be a catalyst of significant, positive change and growth for individuals and entities. However, through it all, Dr. Wickliff gives top priority to her relationship with God, her husband Rev. Oscar Smith and her three sons – Jamar Dugat, Raymond Wickliff and Dr. Cortlan J. Wickliff, Esq.
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