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To help students from all backgrounds succeed in engineering, WVU research targets academic support programs

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

A three-year project based at the West Virginia University Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources will look at “BEST” programs, those which support engineering majors in building the skills they need to succeed, but often struggle to recruit students from underserved communities.

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Week of Purpose radio spot - Sept. 21, 2023

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Shauna Johnson At West Virginia University, mountaineers go first. Ahead this week on campus, the second Week of Purpose.

Whitney Godwin: I think the best part of my job really is working with the students and having the students have that light bulb moment.

Shauna Johnson Whitney Godwin is the director of the Purpose Center. That moment she's referring to is what happens when students tap into their unique characteristics, what they're naturally good at, as identified through the science-based CliftonStrengths assessment, a helpful tool on a lifelong journey of purpose.

Whitney Godwin: These are skills that students can take and apply now during their college experience, but also moving forward as they go into their career and really their personal lives. We've had a lot of students say things like, "Oh my gosh, I knew this was me, but I didn't have words for it, and now I have words for it, and I can really communicate that to an employer. I can communicate that in a Greek life interview or maybe in a student organization or leadership position interview."

Shauna Johnson The 34 CliftonStrengths themes cover a range. Examples include analytical, intellectual, adaptability, connectedness, communication, belief, consistency, and focus. Beyond students, many other members of the university community have access to the Strengths assessment, along with resources to put their strengths to use effectively. A holistic approach taken in few other places.

Whitney Godwin: It's really knowing how you show up for yourself, how you show up for others, how you solve problems, and really getting the best experience out of that by leveraging your strengths instead of guessing.

Shauna Johnson So let's go. Follow our stories at wvutoday.wvu.edu.

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To help students from all backgrounds succeed in engineering, WVU research targets academic support programs

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