Work in progress - understanding paths from the community college to a four-year Engineering Program

Community colleges are frequently identified as sources for increasing and diversifying the pool of engineering students. The purpose of this study is to better understand the experiences of students who transfer from community colleges to baccalaureate engineering programs. We have scheduled interviews with a diverse population of students who have transferred from Northern Virginia Community College to four-year engineering programs at George Mason University. Through one-on-one semi-structured interviews, students are asked to discuss (1) their decision to enroll at NVCC, (2) their decision to pursue a four-year engineering degree, and (3) their adjustment experience during the transfer process. In particular, the effects of outside employment and full-time vs. part-time student status are explored. We will analyze interview responses in combination with academic and demographic data to identify (1) factors that have influenced the academic paths of transfer students and (2) actions that may encourage a larger population to consider similar paths.