You are invited to join us this morning at 9am for a STEM Education Seminar on Mental Health in Engineering presented by Emily Fitzpatrick and Jessica Deters.
9-10 a.m. CDT, Thursday, September 19th
Kiewit Hall A510
Also available via Zoom
Title: Mental Health in Engineering: Exploring Intersections Between Faculty and Peer Relationships, Finances, and Student Well-Being
Summary:
The growing mental health crisis among college students, particularly within undergraduate engineering programs, demands significant attention. Lipson et al. (2022) highlight an alarming rise in mental health issues among students, with marginalized groups, including students of color, first-generation students, and sexual and gender minorities, being disproportionately affected.
In this seminar, we will present findings from in-depth interviews with 21 minoritized undergraduate engineering students at a large Midwestern university. The data uncovers three key factors influencing students’ mental health and well-being: personal finances, peer relationships, and professor interactions. Financial stress emerges as a particularly compounding issue, highlighting the need for structural changes within academic settings to provide greater support. Additionally, peer and professor relationships play a pivotal role in either enhancing or undermining students’ social support systems.
This presentation will highlight the importance of universities addressing both financial and social barriers to foster environments where students can thrive personally, academically, and professionally. Implementing these changes is essential to improving retention, mental health, and career outcomes for all engineering students. The insights shared from this research will inform future strategies for creating more inclusive and supporting educational environments.