Fostering a STEM Identity & Belonging within a Cohort-Based Program

This submission is intended for a poster only. The Maximizing Engineering Potential (MEP) Program at Cal Poly Pomona has been active in increasing the number and diversity of students graduating in technical disciplines since 1983. In 2022, the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Program was added under the Center for Gender, Diversity & Student Excellence to jointly support engineering and science students under a new umbrella program, aptly re-named MEP-WiSE. As a retention and academic enrichment program, MEP-WiSE partners with current cohort students to build a strong community of support through their academic journey. The objective of this poster is to share the success and lessons learned in developing and fostering a STEM identity and belonging within a cohort-based program and learning community from the perspective of current students in the program. The motivation comes from working with our student ambassadors who are passionate about supporting their peers in their academic, personal, and professional endeavors. Our student ambassadors provided valuable feedback related to students' sense of belonging and engagement within the program. Data was collected via surveys and small focus groups. We hope to build on these preliminary data to further understand how MEP-WiSE supports students by helping to foster a STEM identity and sense of belonging within a cohort-based learning community.