Excellence in Engineering

What is Excellence in Engineering?

Excellence in Engineering is a project that focuses on improving broadening participation in engineering and computer science. Excellence in Engineering uses innovative strategies for building a connected community focused on significantly improving graduation rates for underrepresented populations. Excellence in Engineering brings together diverse institutions and industry partners to synergistically actualize a student success framework (shown below). The goal of this project is to engineer a system that (i) raises the graduate rates for underrepresented populations in engineering above the national average, which is currently ~60% and (ii) better understands underlying dynamics influencing student persistence.

Why now?

The lack of equality in the traditional American educational system combined with the changing demographics in the US and the shift towards a technology driven society poses an imminent threat to American innovation and global competitiveness, particularly in the field of engineering where the rest of the world is moving to more inclusive pedagogical models. As the historical challenges of broadening American participation in engineering programs persist, promoting the full use of human resources by increasing racial and ethnic representation in a broad array of engineering programs is ultimately of national interest. Therefore, we must ensure that the next generation of engineers and computer scientists embraces and pivots to the needs of the growing diversity of its citizens so it is well positioned to compete globally and is prepared to solve the most complex social and technological challenges in an increasingly integrated global society. 

There are many documented examples of research-based practices that fit within an ideal framework and exemplify diversity and inclusive excellence. Over the last several decades, there was belief that significant progress was being made, best practices were being adopted, and that achievement gaps would close. Ironically, graduation rates (see ASEE report by the numbers) suggest otherwise, and successful inclusive programs across the country remain isolated and disconnected from each other. Cohen and Ball [ref] referred to this slow pace in adaptation of research-based practices as agentless diffusion. Unfortunately, where efforts fall short, such as low or slow adaptation of best practices, dispersion in graduation rates reveal the fragility of the “well-established” engineering educational systems.

Creating a community for exemplar programs that foster collaborations to study the experiences of engineering and computer science majors is in the best interest of the educational ecosystem because it enables examining programs and their interconnectedness for new theories of practice, which is why this project is needed for actualizing an ideal scenario.

The Target Areas for Excellence in Engineering

There are eight (8) interrelated target areas in this project, where each target area factors into the student experience. Embedded in these target areas are specific activities and research-guide approaches.

Get Involved

To get involved and learn more about Excellence in Engineering, please contact Gregory Triplett (gregory.triplett(at)slu.edu).