Evaluation of a holistic framework for leadership training of engineering students

Abstract

Leadership training for engineering students is generally understood to be a compilation of several categories of skills and competencies. In this paper, a simple framework is presented to incorporate all of the skills under three categories - cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. This framework is demonstrated with the help of the newly-established Seidel Leadership Institute at New Mexico State University. With cohorts of students selected based on specific criteria, the Institute provides a set of opportunities for students to engage in outside their curricular requirements and schedules. Results from research-based surveys suggest that the Leadership Institute helps engineering majors improve in their self-assessments of relevant skills, and it can also impact their attitudes about the engineering profession and the role of service as a professional engineer. The data also suggest that it is important to have hands-on experiences for students so they can have opportunities to practice and apply what they learn, as this was greatly valued in the feedback. Findings show promise for smaller, cohort-based programs to positively impact engineering students as they develop important skills and attitudes outside of the classroom and prepare for the field.