Evaluation of Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy
Project Director:
Partners:
University of Nebraska – Lincoln College of Engineering and Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy (PKFEA)
Services:
Research & Evaluation
Region:
United States
Duration:
2025-2030
Challenge
The field of engineering is currently facing an acute talent shortage across the United States. The field needs effective strategies to create pathways to engineering careers for more people, including women and students with financial need.
EDC is leading an evaluation of the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy (PKFEA), which is designed to provide new insights into the supports that are critical to advancing students through an engineering degree and into careers in engineering, construction, and computing in Nebraska. Working closely with Peter Kiewit Foundation staff, PKFEA program staff, University of Nebraska College of Engineering leaders and faculty, and PKFEA students, EDC is helping the program learn about the critical elements of the program that will make a difference for student success as well as data-informed improvements.
Key Activities
As part of this evaluation, EDC will:
- Codevelop a theory of change and evaluation plan with Peter Kiewit Foundation staff and PKFEA staff
- Review PKFEA’s strategic plan and foundational documents
- Meet with key stakeholders, including PKFEA students, faculty, and staff
- Conduct annual student surveys, interview key stakeholders, and develop formative reports
- Conduct analysis to track student outcomes
- Disseminate findings
Impact
- By supporting PKFEA continuous improvement and capacity-building efforts, the evaluation will help PKFEA better achieve its goals.
- By providing longitudinal data on the program, the evaluation provides an important step toward advancing knowledge of the value of programs such as PKFEA in expanding access to the fields of engineering, computing, and construction.
