The effects of participation in college curricular and cocurricular programs on engineering alumni professional leadership practices

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in perceptions toward undergraduate leadership practices of engineering alumni who received their baccalaureate degree between 2000 and 2006. This study examined the effect of cocurricular involvement on concomitant leadership practices of engineering alumni. Because many of these engineers are currently working within the profession, they are expected to use leadership skills honed through collegiate academic and cocurricular activities. This study aimed to measure the engineering program specific learning outcomes against professional expectations. The research design selected for this study is a quantitative causal comparative design (Creswell, 2005).;The Leadership Practices Instrument (LPI) data were analyzed to determine the extent to which the undergraduate college leadership development and workplace leadership practices improved for students between 2000 and 2006. Alumni cocurricular activity involvement was also analyzed to determine the extent to which it affected both college and workplace leadership. Based on the findings, participants who graduated post-2004 perceived they consistently practiced exemplary leadership practices similar to the LPI normative scores in the 5 LPI practices (Model, Inspire, Challenge, Enable, and Encourage) within their engineering classrooms. UD engineers who graduated between 2000 and 2006 had either similar or significantly higher perceptions toward Workplace leadership practices. Undergraduate level of involvement in design competitions enhanced each of the 5 college leadership practices (Model, Inspire, Challenge, Enable, and Encourage) of engineers. High level involvement in design competitions also had a significant positive effect on their Workplace practices (Inspire and Challenge). Gender, graduation years, or engineering major had little or no bearing on the perceived college or workplace leadership practices of UD engineering alumni. Data from this study may be used to inform Schools of Engineering on the curricular and cocurricular opportunities students perceived enhanced their leadership practices and best prepared them to succeed in the engineering workforce.