2021 CoNECD

Understanding the Impact of a Diversity and Inclusion Oriented Curriculum in Short-Term Study Abroad Programs for Undergraduate Engineering Students

Presented at CoNECD Session : Day 1 Slot 5 Technical Session 2

The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of the Engineering, Diversity, Global Engineering and Service (EDGES) program in the intercultural development of undergraduate engineering students at the University of Missouri (MU). Using a mixed methods inquiry approach, the central question of this study is: how do intensive and affordable short-term study abroad programs (such as EDGES) impact the cultural awareness and competence of undergraduate engineering students? Thus, this research study uses the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), and personal reflections and discussions (on-line and in person) as instruments to measure the cross-cultural growth of EDGES participants and describes their experiential learning journeys. Overall, the EDGES program resulted in attracting increased participation by women and students traditionally underrepresented in engineering, accelerating cultural competency development and increasing students’ self-confidence in discussing diversity and inclusion topics.

Authors

Dr. Tojan Rahhal http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3727-1309 University of Missouri [biography]

Dr. Tojan Rahhal is an Adjunct Professor in the Biomedical, Biological, and Chemical Engineering Department and the Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the College of Engineering. Rahhal graduated from North Carolina State University with a BS in Biomedical Engineering. She went on to pursue a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Ch), working in the lab of Dr. Joseph M. DeSimone. Outside of her research efforts, she demonstrated commitment to service and leadership in the academic community, promoting awareness of issues regarding equality in science. She currently owns Alliance Professional Development (www.Alliance-Professional.com) where she works on providing customized workshops focusing on leadership, soft skills, and cultural awareness for companies and organizations. At MU she focuses on facilitating outreach, recruitment, retention, and overall success for all members of our community, especially those from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in engineering.
Dr. Miguel Elias Ayllon University of Missouri [biography]

Miguel Ayllon, Ph.D., is the Director of Study Abroad at the University of Missouri (MU). Ayllon holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from MU. Dr. Ayllon formerly served as Director of International Engineering and STEM programs, a position shared by the MU College of Engineering and the MU International Center. During Dr. Ayllon's tenure, the College of Engineering reached record study abroad enrollment and the college's first academic collaborations with Latin America were developed. In his current position as Director of Study Abroad, Dr. Ayllon provides vision, leadership, and management to design transformative global experiential learning opportunities for MU students.
A native of Lima, Peru, Miguel came to the United States in 1999 as an international student.

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Broadening Participation in Engineering and Engineering Technology
engineering
Faculty
gender
professional
race/ethnicity
Socio-Economic Status
undergraduate