Persistence, Resilience and Mathematics in Engineering Transfer Capital

Abstract

Contribution: This paper identifies key personal and academic factors in successful transfer to electrical, computer, and mechatronics (ECM) engineering programs. The findings support prior research on engineering transfer shows that suc- cessful students accumulate knowledge and behaviors in their sending institution that enable their progress in the receiving institution. Background: Institutional arrangements and processes, inclu- sive cultures and practices, social integration, and clear academic requirements support the transfer of students who go from two-year colleges and similar to follow engineering programs at four-year institutions. Various personal attributes are also associated with successful transfer. Research Question: What factors enable transferees to succeed in four-year ECM engineering degree programs? Methodology: Student data were obtained from the receiv- ing institution’s registration database and grades administration system. Database queries were used to identify transfer and non-transfer students’ performance. Averages and frequencies of passes, fails, repeats, withdrawals, etc., were calculated and com- pared. There were limited data on students’ personal challenges and non-academic strengths. Findings: All the students who attained Bachelor of Science degrees in ECM showed persistence and resilience in their jour- neys toward an engineering qualification, and had achieved high grades in mathematics at the sending institution.