Influence Of The Asee Student Chapter On College Wide Pedagogical Issues

The University of Michigan ASEE Student Chapter has grown significantly from when it began seven years ago to its current status. During its growth, the student chapter has consistently influenced the College of Engineering’s pedagogical climate by focusing on three of our major missions. First, the chapter serves to prepare graduate students better for their pursuit of academic jobs by having panel discussions and workshops about professional development issues. We have organized daylong programs about the job search and challenges for beginning faculty. We’ve also organized panels of professors from smaller teaching institutions. Secondly, we facilitate panels for undergraduate students about the application to and choosing of a graduate program. We promote the increased involvement of underrepresented minority groups in higher education through workshops for faculty and graduate students that discuss how to develop a better classroom climate. We organize outreach programs to area inner city junior high schools to encourage the students to think about the possibility of studying engineering or sciences in college. Finally, we are committed to the continuous improvement of the educational environment in engineering. This goal is achieved on campus in a couple of ways. We invite faculty and graduate student instructors to ASEE sponsored seminars and workshops about various teaching methods and pedagogical issues. We also promote high quality teaching by recognizing five outstanding Graduate Student Instructors and one professor at an annual award ceremony. We contribute to the entire educational community by sending student members to various educational conferences (i.e. ASEE, FIE) and having them present at these conferences. Also, upon their return from the conference, we organize discussion sessions during which the students can share the ideas from the conference that they found exciting with interested members of the College community. These activities of the ASEE Student Chapter have led to an increased focus on pedagogical studies at the University of Michigan College of Engineering. They have also led to greater collaboration between graduate students, faculty, and administration regarding the continued improvement of engineering education.