Addressing A'o in Engineering: Encouraging Native Hawaiian Engineers to Pursue a Career in Higher Education

• In Event: Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Contemporary Topics in Engineering Education Research

Abstract

A research team of engineers and educators seek to understand the gaps in progression of Native Hawaiian (NH) students to academic career in engineering. In this paper, we will present findings from an ongoing mixed-methods study. We will first share data from an undergraduate survey administered to engineering students asking about background and preparation to pursue engineering as a major (N=168). We will then describe major themes that emerged from structured interviewed with 6 of 8 NH engineering graduate students and a description of a six-workshop series called A‘o in Engineering designed to support interested senior and graduate engineering students. We end with a proposed education model to increase NH career interest in the engineering professorate.

Authors

• Thanh Truc Thi Nguyen, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• A. Kuʻulei Serna, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Donna L Kuehu, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Oceana Puananilei Francis, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Nicole Lewis, University of Hawaii - Manoa