Increasing Access to Undergraduate Research: Housing Student Research in the Engineering Diversity Office

Research shows groups traditionally underrepresented in engineering (e.g., underrepresented minorities, women, veterans, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and first-generation college students) are less likely to pursue undergraduate research opportunities. As a result, these students are also less likely to enter the pipeline for graduate school. One barrier for students to trying research is the lack of access to these programs. Many students are unaware that the programs exist or the benefits of participating. To heighten the visibility of research opportunities in a State University's College of Engineering, the unit that focuses on undergraduate research experiences is located in the College's Diversity Office. This non-traditional organizational structure places the research program in the same space as the other student retention programs dedicated to women, multicultural students, and transitioning students. The association gives the undergraduate research programs an intentionality and sensitivity to issues around diversity, and it gives all students in the College of Engineering visible access to the services facilitated by the Office. In addition, the Office is well-positioned to promote undergraduate research programs to targeted populations, especially centrally-funded opportunities. Preliminary evidence has indicated a positive effect on the number of underrepresented student participants, retention and graduation rates, as well as enrollment in graduate school.