Undergraduate Research Experience Impact on Retention in an Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Program

Research has demonstrated the positive influence of Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) on students' educational journey and their development as scientists, ultimately aiding them in making informed career choices. However, traditionally, URE programs have primarily targeted junior and senior students who already possess disciplinary knowledge and exhibit a strong inclination to persist in STEM fields. This study aims to examine the effects of involving freshmen in the Industry-Research Inclusion in STEM Education (I-RISE) program, specifically in the disciplines of electrical engineering (EE) and computer science (CS), on student retention. The I-RISE program integrated research opportunities for undergraduate students with mentorship activities, facilitating the acquisition of relevant skills in applied computing and engineering techniques, research methodologies, and the attainment of internships. Analyzing the retention rates of three distinct cohorts of I-RISE participants over a span of three years revealed significantly higher retention rates compared to students who did not partake in the I-RISE program.