Implementation of a new student initiative: Promoting Student Success and Well-Being

Abstract In this paper we will describe a multi-faceted initiative we have implemented to promote student success and well-being in the student community of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at our university. This program has been implemented for about 3 years in partnership with the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) and the Sanger Learning Center. Both of these centers provide services for all university students, although the objective of this initiative was to tailor their services to the specific needs of engineering students. This program incorporates three components designed to target a specific audience and to address specific student needs: 1. A supplementary course titled "Enhancing Academic Success": This is a 1-credit hour (elective) course taught by one of the authors who is an engineering professor and taken primarily by students on academic probation or those in their first and second years who are interested in learning how to learn and be successful in their engineering coursework. The purpose of this course is to examine many of the components necessary to enhance academic success in engineering. The topics covered fall into three categories: (i) Mindset, motivation, self-regulation, and dealing with academic emotions; (ii) Goal-setting, self-discipline, and time management; and (iii) Learning strategies, test preparation, post-exam analysis. 2. A student success and well-being Canvas course available to all students (graduate and undergraduate) in our department: This Canvas course offers modules designed by mental health professionals and learning specialists. It has not only facilitated the distribution of these helpful resources but has also provided a platform for all our students to come together in a virtual setting. With the sudden shift to online instruction due to COVID-19, having this course enabled online discussions and informal virtual gatherings. 3. Workshops on specific topics led by two of the authors: These workshops are designed to cover topics that address learning strategies and good practices to follow to enhance success in coursework, as well as practices to foster well-being. Topics covered so far are (i) Motivation, Self-Regulation, and Metacognitive Strategies; (ii) How to foster Self-Care; (iii) Procrastination and how to deal with it; and (iv) Resilience and taking stock of your grades. For each component, we will provide a rationale, the process for implementation, and student outcomes we've documented so far.