Critical Race Praxis: Preparing Students of Color for Graduate School in the STEM Fields

• In Event: Roundtable Session 100
  In Roundtable Session: Situating Critical Race Theory in Context

Abstract

This paper discusses access issues for students of color that are well established in higher education particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. We use institutional, demographic and national data to inform and guide the construction of a graduate preparation institute. To open up spaces in the aforementioned fields, the authors create a program of intentional skill development and experience that aims to close the enrollment and graduation discrepancy for student participants who are underrepresented and historically underserved in graduate school. Such a program represents a shift from critical race theory to critical race praxis. The graduate preparation program promotes praxis within the University of Utah within administration as well as at the student level.

Authors

• Brenda Valles, University of Utah

• Sweeney Windchief, University of Utah