Latinas in STEM: Factors Influencing Participation in High-Impact Practices

• In Event: Persistence and Perceptions: Challenges Faced by Women and Girls in STEM

Abstract

Latinas are highly underrepresented and have low persistence rates in STEM. High-Impact Practices (HIPs) are effective in improving student persistence in STEM majors, yet their relationship with Latinas warrants further exploration. This study utilizes multi-institutional data to identify the determinants of participation in HIPs of Latinas pursuing STEM at research universities. We found that lower social class Latinas are less likely to participate in internships compared to higher social class Latinas. Second-generation immigrant Latinas are less likely to participate in learning communities than non-immigrant Latinas. Among Latinas, first-generation college students are also less likely to participate in undergraduate research. This study offers implications for marginalized groups among Latina college students in STEM majors.

Authors

• Sanga Kim, The University of Texas - El Paso

• Selyna Perez Beverly, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Hyun Kyoung Ro, University of North Texas