EngineerFEST: Building Community and Engagement Among First-Year Engineering Students

This complete evidence-based paper describes the basis for and the implementation of "EngineerFEST," an effective student engagement event.EngineerFEST is an annual fall semester engineering student organization and essential student services fair at a mid-Atlantic, R1 institution embedded in Appalachia.More than simply a "Student Organization Fair," this event fosters student engagement and introduces first-year students to opportunities that broaden their participation and enhance their academic success in engineering.By providing a platform for student organizations to highlight their work and recruit new participants, EngineerFEST encourages peer learning and interdisciplinary interaction, enhancing the educational experience.Representatives from Career Services, Libraries, Study Abroad, and Student Services participate to inform students about available resources and networking opportunities.Additionally, students from varied backgrounds are made to feel welcomed and included, fostering a sense of belonging through the active participation of organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).This paper explores the impact of EngineerFEST on student engagement, describes the logistics of planning the event, and presents feedback from participants to demonstrate its effectiveness in shaping a vibrant engineering community.