Mentoring Perceptions of Underrepresented Minorities Pursuing STEM-Based Agricultural and Life Science Graduate Degrees

• In Event: Mentorship and Mentoring Practices SIG Paper Session

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the mentoring experiences of women and underrepresented minority students (URMs) pursuing STEM and Agriculture and Life Science graduate degrees at a research-intensive university. Overall, the themes that emerged from the findings support the importance of mentoring URM students pursuing graduate degrees in STEM and AgLS at research-intensive universities. Implications for scholarship include continued and more in-depth research on the experiences of these students and other factors beyond mentorship that contribute to their retention and persistence. Additionally, implications for practice include the creation of mentoring-based recruitment and retention programs, with an emphasis on peer mentorship, to increase the persistence of URM pursuing STEM and AgLS graduate degrees.

Authors

• Brittini R Brown, Purdue University

• Torrie Cropps, Purdue University

• Abby Coy, Purdue University

• Levon T. Esters, Purdue University

• Neil A. Knobloch, Purdue University