Do Community College Characteristics Contribute to Racial Inequalities in College STEM Participation?

• In Event: 43.079 - Sheraton Roundtable Session Six - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 43.079-4 - Supporting Diversity in STEM Experiences and Pathways in Higher Education

Abstract

Utilizing quantitative and qualitative information from a cohort of students in North Carolina, this study explores if institutional characteristics of community colleges contribute to racial inequalities in college STEM participation. Through multilevel logit models and analysis of in-depth interviews, this study finds evidence that institutional characteristics of the community colleges exert an important influence on minority students’ pathways into college STEM majors.

Authors

• Martha Cecilia Bottia, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Elizabeth Stearns, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Roslyn Arlin Mickelson, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Stephanie Moller, University of North Carolina - Charlotte