KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 4, 2025

Kennesaw State University researcher Awatef Ergai, an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to help engineering students build stronger communication and collaboration skills.

The two-year, $200,000 project, funded through NSF’s Division of Engineering Education and Centers, will use an innovative method called “Story Circles.” Traditionally used in conflict management, Story Circles is a structured approach using active listening, empathy, reflection, and two-way dialogue. The research is part of a broader effort within Kennesaw State’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET) to align classroom learning with the needs of modern industry.

“Engineering students often assume they’ll work in silos, but the reality is they’re going to be working in teams, often diverse teams, even across the globe. Improving their communication skills is of utmost importance,” Ergai said.

Unlike traditional tools, Story Circles integrates communication directly into the collaborative process. Students will participate in guided communication exercises, team-based discussions, peer assessments, and structured faculty feedback. The program is designed to ensure that all team members contribute rather than allowing one or two students to control the conversations.

“One of the most common problems I see is that a few students dominate while others remain silent, even if they have great ideas,” Ergai said. “Story Circles requires everyone to participate, which not only improves collaboration but also helps resolve conflicts and builds confidence.”

The project will be introduced and tested in collaborative, hands-on courses where strong communication plays a key role, with an initial focus on junior-level engineering students. Its effectiveness will be measured through pre- and post-intervention surveys, peer assessments, and an external review of final project outcomes.

In addition to Ergai, the project team includes co-principal investigators Shane Peterson, associate professor of German; and Ginny Zhan, professor of psychology; whose interdisciplinary expertise played a key role in securing the NSF grant. Their combined perspectives strengthen the project’s focus on communication, teamwork, and applied learning across disciplines.

Ergai hopes the work will lead to a model that any engineering professor can use in their courses.

“If every instructor incorporates this approach, students will repeatedly practice and refine their communication skills throughout their degree program,” she said. “By graduation, they will be far more prepared to work effectively in professional settings.”

Ergai plans to expand the study by following students across multiple academic years and even into their early careers to measure how repeated exposure to Story Circles impacts long-term communication skills.

Her focus on student development doesn’t stop with research. As director of KSU’s SPCEET Student Success (S²) Tutoring Center, she helps students strengthen their academic foundations while preparing them for critical professional milestones. The center offers peer tutoring services and for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, a prerequisite for becoming a licensed professional engineer. Recently, the center co-sponsored a Professional Engineer (PE) exam prep event with Professor of Civil Engineering Roneisha Worthy.

“Our goal is to equip students with every tool they need to succeed, not just in the classroom, but in their careers,” Ergai said. “Whether it’s passing the FE exam or mastering communication skills, we want them to leave KSU ready to thrive in the workforce.”

SPCEET Dean Lawrence Whitman said Ergai’s work exemplifies the college’s mission to prepare students for success beyond graduation.

“Dr. Ergai’s research addresses one of the most critical skills employers look for, the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively,” Whitman said. “By integrating innovative approaches like Story Circles into engineering education, she’s not only helping our students stand out in the job market but also shaping the future of how engineers are trained.”

As engineering work increasingly spans continents and cultures, Ergai believes initiatives like hers are more important than ever.

“Borders are disappearing in today’s engineering projects,” she said. “Our graduates will work with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Strong communication and collaboration skills will give them a real competitive edge.”

– Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photo provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.