Title

Culturally Congruent AI-supported Mentoring for Students’ Academic Success

Speaker

Sooin Kim, Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director, Construction Management, Wayne State University

Abstract

This research project will develop a culturally congruent artificial intelligence (AI)-supported mentoring program for improving the retention of student veterans and service members (SVSMs) in engineering education. A lack of appropriate academic support often alienates and isolates SVSMs, leading to lower engagement, reduced academic performance, and higher attrition rates. This project will design and develop a culturally congruent AI mentor for SVSMs that reflects the lived experiences, values, and communication styles of military veterans. This mentor will provide SVSMs with tailored academic assistance during their transition from the structured, hierarchical environment of military service to the flexible, self-directed academic settings of engineering education. This project will provide a replicable model for improving the retention of engineering students through culturally congruent AI-supported academic assistance and enriching the engineering workforce.

Bio

Dr. Sooin Kim earned her Ph.D. and master's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Before joining Wayne State, she worked as a research associate at the RAND Corporation in Washington, D.C. Dr. Kim’s interdisciplinary research lies at the intersection of emerging technologies, resilient construction and infrastructure systems, and engineering education. Her research has examined topics including construction market forecasting, infrastructure resilience, and AI applications and workforce development in construction. Through her research and teaching, Dr. Kim seeks to advance data-driven and AI-enabled approaches that strengthen the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of construction and infrastructure systems while preparing the next generation of engineering professionals.

Virtual

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