WE-GROW Engineering Program Aims To Improve Retention, Academic Success, KSU

Press release from Kennesaw State University:

Apr 7, 2021

WE-GROW Engineering Program Aims to Improve Retention, Academic Success

KENNESAW, Ga.
(Apr 7, 2021) — When it came to picking a college major, Ramisa Ahmed had no doubt her future would
be in engineering.

As a high schooler, she was drawn to anything related to the field, from robotics
to 3D modeling on computers. However, her college dreams were nearly put on hold as
she looked for ways to offset the cost of attending. Then, she received an email from
Kennesaw State University’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET).

“I wrote so many essays and applied for so many scholarships until finally I saw an
email promoting a new program in the engineering college,” said Ahmed, who applied
and was subsequently accepted into the Women in Engineering: Graduation and Retention/Recruitment Opportunities for Women
(WE-GROW) program. “There was such a sense of relief for me. It took care of all of my financial
needs and allowed me to focus on my studies.”

Today, Ahmed is one of nine students this year who are receiving up to $8,800 in scholarship
money annually as part of WE-GROW. The effort, launched by SPCEET in October 2019
after receiving a $997,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, aims to support
first- and third-year engineering students by providing academic and co-curricular
activities focused improving retention and encouraging the pursuit of rewarding and
successful engineering careers.

While the initiative focuses to improve gender diversity in Kennesaw State’s engineering
programs, it is open to all academically talented students with demonstrated financial
need. The programmatic support offered by the initiative will come in the form of
guidance and focused efforts by SPCEET faculty, advisors and staff, and industry partners
to cultivate a broader sense of community among the students.

“While we concentrate on introducing more women to engineering, we recognize that
the male participants gain a better appreciation of the need for more women in the
field,” said Lori Lowder, assistant dean for accreditation and assessment. “Just like
any other initiative, it’s going to require efforts from all parts to see improvements.”

In addition to the wraparound support services, students are afforded opportunities
to participate in undergraduate research and STEM outreach efforts at local schools,
and meet with women who are already in the field.

“I was particularly struck by the number of women engineers I’ve already met through
the industry outreach events,” said Ahmed, who studies mechanical engineering. “It’s not often that you see women hold high positions for STEM jobs, and it’s always
been a goal of mine to be that same kind of role model for other girls hoping to study
engineering.” Like Ahmed, computer engineering student Kevin Toyle said the face-to-face time with industry professionals and faculty
mentors have been some of the most impactful aspects of the WE-GROW initiative. Recent
industry meet-and-greets have involved professionals from a variety of industries,
including those representing Siemens and NASA.

Toyle also likes giving back to the younger generation, taking advantage of an opportunity
to serve as a guest judge in an elementary school science fair as part of WE-GROW.

“It’s nice to connect with people, especially kids who are starting to explore STEM
fields,” he said. “I received my inspiration at a young age, and I enjoy seeing how
the next generation finds theirs.

As WE-GROW continues to evolve, Lowder said the engineering college expects to extend
services to the larger student body to build upon student success.

“We are looking to make this a part of our larger student recruitment strategy,” she
said. “But we also want to make sure that we are doing our best to support them once
they’re here and make sure they graduate en route to fruitful careers.”

– Travis Highfield

Photos by David Caselli

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.