Dr. Ana Rynearson, assistant professor of engineering, was announced as a recipient of the prestigious U.S. National Science Foundation CAREER Award to support her work toward improving support for undergraduate engineering students who are unsure of their choice of major.
The award, titled “Choose Your PATH: Identifying and Supporting Undergraduate Academic Decision Points for Persistence, Attrition, Transition or Hiatus,” will contribute nearly $600,000 toward Rynearson’s project, which the NSF believes aligns with the organization’s goals and focus on research that promotes support for undergraduate engineering students.
“I am honored that my work has been recognized through this award,” Rynearson said. “Attending college and choosing a major is a big decision. Many students reconsider their chosen major, especially during their first year.
“When students are on the path to graduation, how often do they come to a fork in the road, a point where they might reconsider their major, and what does this ‘fork’ feel like?”
NSF’s CAREER program is designed to support early-career faculty “who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.” The three criteria for the award are: performance of innovative STEM research, community service demonstrated through scientific leadership and education, and a commitment to STEM equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion.
Campbell University School of Engineering founding Dean Dr. Jenna Carpenter said the program is thrilled with Rynearson’s award.
“The goal [of her research] is to support student persistence and retention in college,” she said. “CAREER Awards are the gold standard for new faculty and a huge validation of the quality of their research.”