Research Areas

Research areas explore the role of human systems within higher academic environments and how they can be structured to maximize student success and retention - particularly in STEM disciplines. Research and program development aligns with bridging organizational theory, student development theory, leadership strategies, environment systems theory and systems design. Dr. Clark uses data to inform strategy development, promoting student-relevant engagement to inspire persistence within challengeing academic environments.  Her work supports a holistic approach to academic success that puts the power of persistance into the hands of students engaging in these environments. 

Research topics include: 

Academic Self-Efficacy; Academic Environment Structures; Retention in STEM majors; Underacademically Prepared students in STEM; Strengthening Access to STEM majors; Building Community in STEM; Building Leadership Identity; Internationalization; Global Leadership Identity; Program Impact Assessment; Complex Theoretical Framework Use; Phenomenography as a Research Approach in STEM; Assessment and Development Methods

Selected Intellectual Contributions

  • Clark ,J.I., Kittelman, S., Rehman, F., Schmitt, M.R. (2024). Using a taxonomy to categorize physiological affect statements to determine their impact on other sources of self efficacy. 2024 ASEE Pacific Northwest Region Conference
  • Clark, J. I. (2021). Using student perception of college environment for developing academic self-efficacy in engineering and computing education (Publication No. 16565) [Doctoral dissertation, Montana State University]. Thesis and Dissertations and Montana State University. https://scholarworks.montana.edu/xmlui/handle/1/16595
  • J. I. Clark, (2020). Research to Practice: Keeping STEM student recruitment fresh and relevant using peer mentoring, 2020 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9274230. 
  • Aderholdt, D., Oliveri, C., Clark, J., & Seifert, T. (2020). Informal peer mentorship: Listening to the everyday student. Strategic Enrollment Management Quarterly, 7(3), 5–14.
  • J. I. Clark, W. D. Aderholdt, T. A. Seifert and C. N. Oliveri, Flipping the lens: What we learn from students about success in college, 2019 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 2019, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/FIE43999.2019.9028581.
  • Oliveri, C., Funke, K., Clark, J., & Seifert, T. A. (2018). Blueprints for student success: High school students’ questions about the transition to college. The Journal of College Orientation and Transition, 17(2), 43–59.

  • Clark, J.I., Codd, S.L., Des Jardins, A.C.,  Foreman, C.M., Gunnink, B.W., Plumb, C. & Stocker, K.R. (2015). Peer Mentoring Program: Providing Early Intervention and Support to Improve Retention and Success of Women in Engineering, Computer Science, and Physics. Proceedings of the American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Seattle, WA, June 14-17, 2015.  DOI: 10.18260/p.24555.

Access Dr. Jen Clark's CV.