| The contributing factors to the academic performance and retention of minority engineering students were defined using three broad categories: Academic, social and environmental factors. All (178) students who attended the Summer Program for Academic Careers in Engineering (SPACE) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) from 1992--1999 were included in this study. Upon entry to UCF all students had declared a major of engineering or science. The students in the study were divided into three student categories for analysis only (Persisters, Major Changers, and Leavers).;The successful SPACE student in engineering could be characterized as being self-motivated; maintained close contact with male or female parent; the mother and father attended college; the student's primary support system included family and peers; the student's career choice was influenced by exposure to the field through family members or pre-college programs; and students who persisted in engineering were less likely to receive loans.;The present study indicated that the summer program, SPACE, positively impacted the academic, social, and environmental adjustment of minority students, regardless of gender, who persisted at UCF. More than 70% of SPACE students remained and graduated from UCF. |
