Kimberly Taylor Luthi

Title
Assistant Professor, College of Aviation; Interim Chair, Department of Applied Aerospace Science
Email
Department
Department of Applied Aerospace Science
College
College of Aviation

Areas of Expertise

Workforce Development, Uncrewed Systems, Engineering Education and Diversity and Inclusion in STEM
Kimberly Taylor Luthi

Dr. Luthi’s research background is in workforce development and engineering education. She has developed and implemented various federal STEM education and diversity programs in higher education over her professional career. Dr. Luthi's research explores factors that support the presence of underrepresented groups in aviation and aerospace disciplines and the impacts on educational outcomes such as achievement, motivation and social development specific to workforce development. 

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership, Old Dominion University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Aeronautics: Research, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • M.Ed. - Master of Education in Student Personnel in Higher Education, University of Florida
  • Trusted Operator (Category: Remote Pilot Instructor - Level III) - Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • Trusted Operator: Remote Pilot - Level III - Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • Trusted Operator: Remote Pilot - Level II - Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • Top Operator: Remote Pilot - Level I - Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
  • Remote Pilot - Federal Aviation Administration
  • ASCI 254: Aviation Legislation
  • COIN 494: Co-Operative Education

Luthi, K. T., & Kosloski, M. F. (2023). Advancement Experiences of Women in Academic Senior Leadership Positions in STEM Disciplines: A Delphi Analysis. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 29(4),101–128.

Luthi, K. T., Kar, M., Macon, L. (2022). The Impact of PLTL in Four Introductory Engineering Courses: Improving Access and Opportunity for Students Underrepresented in STEM Disciplines. Advances in Peer-Led Learning, 2, 55-71. https://doi.org/10.54935/apll2022-01-05-55

Luthi, K. (2022, July). Career Advancement of Women in Engineering Disciplines at Two-Year Degree Institutions: Documenting Challenges and Potential Solutions to Raise Inclusivity. Proceedings of 2022 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 26-29, 2022.

Luthi, K., Kar, M., Macon, L. (2022, July). Equity in Engineering Education: The Experiences of Non-Traditional Students in Introductory Engineering Courses with Peer Learning Support. Proceedings of the 2022 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, June 26-29, 2022.

Luthi, K., Mohua, K., & Macon, L. (2021, July). Peer-Led Team Learning in Introductory Engineering Courses: An Analysis of an Interventional Method of Support for Underrepresented Students. Proceedings of the 2021 American Society for Engineering Education Virtual Annual Conference and Exposition, July 29, 2021.

Luthi, K.T. (2019). A Delphi Study: Retention of Women in Leadership Positions in
Stem Disciplines (Publication No. 10.25777) [Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dissertation, Old Dominion University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. DOI: 10.25777/ahz8-7t62

Dr. Luthi has led research and evaluation for externally funded grant programs, including the U.S. Department of Education’s Hispanic-Serving Institution and National Science Foundation capacity-building grants that focused on building pathways to strengthen STEM educational programs as well as the administrative and fiscal capacity of institutions. Products include the development of web-based performance monitoring instruments to link grantee outcomes to statutory program goals. Dr. Luthi also works in collaboration with faculty to prepare and implement programs funded through the National Science Foundation focused on broadening participation in STEM undergraduate and graduate education, postdoctoral training, and academic career programs, specifically to increase the participation and advancement of women in STEM academic careers.

Dr. Luthi currently serves as the principal investigator on an NSF-sponsored Improving STEM Education project entitled “Engagement of Non-Traditional Students in Engineering Pathways.” This important research documents the conditions under which students’ experiences in collaborative, peer-led learning with industry-driven, active-learning activities contribute to persistence and retention in aeronautics-oriented engineering pathways. A major focus of the work is to adapt structural and implementation practices from previous studies to further support a sustainable online, peer-led, collaborative learning model that is transferable to other academic institutions. Student participants, specifically veterans and activity military student populations, engaged in the collaborative learning activities have reported positive experiences and higher course grade averages. As a work-in-progress, the findings thus far are strong indicators that peer learning support increases academic performance that meets the project goals. This research was funded through Award #2216325.  

Appointments:

Assistant Faculty, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, FL
Grants and Research Specialist, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, FL
Managing Director, Grants and Special Projects, Office of Resource Development, Valencia College, FL 
Grants Specialist, Daytona State College, FL

Synergistic Activities: 

Grant Writer/Research Analyst for “Engineering Technology Supply Chain Automation.” NSF, ATE. Award #1801086; Valencia College PI: Nasser Hedayat; 2018.

Grant Writer/Research Analyst for “Engagement in Engineering Pathways: An Initiative to Retain Non-Traditional Community College Students Using Peer-Led Instruction and Learning.” NSF, IUSE. Award #:1712008; Valencia College PI: Lisa Macon; 2017. 

Internal Evaluation/Research Analyst for “Educational Network to Gain STEM Graduates and Enhance STEM Education (ENGAGE).” NSF LSAMP. Award #:1712683; Valencia College PI: Eda Davis-Lowe; 2016-2018. 

Grant Internal Evaluation Team for NSF STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP) Grant. Daytona State College, 2015-2016.

Dr. Luthi serves as a member and team lead for the U.S. Department of Labor Federal Funding Task Force for Council for Advancement and Support of Education.