A Qualitative Study of the Role of Engineering Peer Advising Leaders (EPALS) Program on Undergraduate Engineering Students' Learning Experience

This is a Complete Evaluation Paper for the First-Year Programs Division.The influence of peer programs on student development has been studied.Although several studies have investigated the impact of peer programs on international students and undergraduate programs in general, more work is needed in evaluating the impact on students who offer the support and on groups of students in a particular discipline.In this study, we present the evaluation of the impact of the Engineering Peer Advising Leaders (EPAL) program in the College of Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University, a large research-one (R1) land grant university, using a qualitative methodological approach.In this study, we explored the experiences of the EPAL peers and students who utilized the EPAL program.Primarily, data collection was conducted using a focus group discussion.In total, seven EPAL students participated in the focus group discussion.In addition, reports of students who took advantage of the EPAL program were analyzed.Thematic analysis of the data collected was conducted.The study's outcome showed that first-year engineering students perceive that the EPAL program provided them access to academic guidance on courseload, expectation, and scheduling; peer advising for academic success; acquiring time management and study strategies skills; and increased awareness of campus resources.Furthermore, EPALs who provided the advising service reported that the EPAL program provided them with opportunities for professional skill development and improved their awareness of campus resources.Overall, EPALs and first-year engineering students have a positive outlook on the peer advising service.These findings underscore the need for more peer-led programs in the College of Engineering, which can play a crucial role in supporting students' journey as they navigate their engineering pathway.We recommend the implementation of these programs to further enhance the learning experience of students.