Empowering Engineering Students for the FE Exam - Classroom Integration and Customizable Study Strategies

Sep 19, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper

Preparing undergraduate engineering students for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam supports licensure readiness and professional development. A multifaceted strategy was implemented across Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, and Environmental disciplines, combining classroom presentations mapped to NCEES FE topics, in-person review sessions, faculty-recorded asynchronous online modules, and a customizable study program aligned to students’ discipline and career goals. Development of the program progressed historically by discipline-specific participation dates, culminating in expanded faculty-led support and targeted funding that covered exam registration and vendor study materials. Student outcomes from 2022–2025 showed improved pass rates for Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering students, with Mechanical Engineering pass rates rising over time.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Preparation strategy across disciplines

Implementation timeline and funding support

Student outcome evaluation (2022-2025)

Paper ID \#52239 Empowering Engineering Students for the FE Exam: Classroom Integration and Customizable Study Strategies Dr. nelson m anaya, Wilkes University Dr. Nelson M. Anaya is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Wilkes University. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Universidad Industrial de Santander (Colombia), his master’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico, and his Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island. His research interests include nanotechnology, water quality, pollutant fate and transport, computational fluid dynamics, corrosion of structures, and engineering education. Dr. Anaya is also passionate about student mentoring and STEM outreach, with a particular interest in experiential learning, undergraduate research, workforce development, and increasing participation in engineering among underrepresented communities. Dr. Carole Emilie Baddour, Wilkes University Aside from time in the southwest of France where she completed her Master’s research at Groupement de Recherche de Lacq Arkema’s research center, Dr. Baddour lived in Canada where she completed her studies and started her career teaching at a private college in Montreal, Quebec. After moving to the U.S. Dr. Baddour joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering as an Assistant Professor in the Fall of 2017 . Since then, she has been teaching courses such as Introduction to Manufacturing Processes, Introduction to Nanomaterials, Statics, Strength of Materials and Scientific Programming. She also established her research laboratory for nanomaterial-related research. Dr. Baddour is the ABET coordinator for Mechanical Engineering. She is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE) as a non-PE member. Her personal goal is to become a PE. She is a full member of the Sigma Xi Honor Society. Dr. Baddour took the Obligation of Canadian Engineers (Iron Ring) in 2004 (Camp 11) . She is fluent in French and English. Dr. Marleen A. Troy P.E., Wilkes University Marleen A. Troy, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE Marleen Troy is an environmental engineer with specialized experience in environmental management and biological treatment for remediation. She is currently a professor of environmental engineering and director of the Sustainability Management Certificate Program at Wilkes University. She is also a Pennsylvania-registered engineer and board certified in environmental sustainability by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. Marleen received her Ph.D. in civil engineering from Drexel University and an MSCE in civil engineering – in addition to a BS in biological science from Drexel University and a MS in microbiology from the University of Rhode Island. Edward T. Bednarz Dr. Edward T. Bednarz III is a professor of mechanical engineering at Wilkes University, where he has been teaching since 2013, following a 12-year engineering career with the U.S. Army. His professional background includes work in mechanical systems design, portable army bridge testing, and safety innovations. These experiences shape his practical and deeply human approach to engineering education. At Wilkes, he coordinates senior capstone projects for the mechanical and electrical engineering department, mentors student researchers, and has developed courses in mechanical engineering and ethics. He has experience in intellectual property and holds five U.S. patents. A passionate advocate for integrity and professionalism in engineering, Dr. Bednarz brings real-world insight into ethical decision-making in the classroom and beyond. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2026 Empowering Mechanical Engineering

FAQs

What strategy was used to prepare students for the FE exam?

The approach combined NCEES-aligned in-class presentations, face-to-face review sessions, faculty-recorded asynchronous online modules, and a customizable study program targeted to students’ discipline and goals.

How did the program evolve across engineering disciplines over time?

Environmental students began taking the FE exam in 1997, Mechanical and Electrical became mandatory in 2022, and Civil students first participated in 2024. In 2023, a faculty-led preparation program was launched, and in 2024 additional funding expanded access to both registration and online vendor study materials.

What impact did the strategies have on student pass rates?

Outcome data collected from 2022 to 2025 showed that pass rates increased for Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering students, rising from 49% in 2022–2023 to 67% in 2024–2025.

Sep 19, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper