Identifying and Cultivating STEM Talent

• In Event: 47.040 - Cultivating and Supporting Diverse STEM Talent

Abstract

We explored views of talent among STEM faculty, program directors, and administrators from 11 case study institutions that show success in producing STEM bachelor's degree graduates, controlling for institutional resources. We explored how institutional agents conceptualize and cultivate undergraduate student talent in STEM disciplines, and identified institutional structures that support and coordinate these efforts. While many institutional agents still identify and cultivate talent through standard achievement metrics such as test scores and GPA, others have broadened their methods with which they identify talented students for further opportunities. We discuss implications for training a more diverse scientific workforce.

Authors

• Hector Vicente Ramos, University of California - Los Angeles

• Krystle Cobian, University of California - Los Angeles

• Sylvia Hurtado, University of California - Los Angeles