Serving Latinx STEM Students: An Antideficit Examination of Four-Year Graduation

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: New Developments and Findings in STEM College Degree Success

Abstract

Using ChiSquared Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID), an advanced quantitative method that examines a decision tree of characteristics within a population, this study examines the characteristics of Latinx first-time freshmen with majors in STEM who graduate with a degree in STEM within the four-year timeframe. Following Harper’s (2010) anti-deficit framework, this study does not aim to examine achievement gaps or negative outcomes. Rather, this study poses a positive perspective to answer the following research question: What are the factors associated with four-year graduation success for Latinx STEM undergraduates? Recommendations include ways in which institutions can serve current Latinx STEM students within their first year of college and improve graduation rates, while still providing equitable and meaningful academic opportunities and experiences.

Authors

• Erika Kato, California State University - Long Beach

• Veronica Lavenant Fematt, University of California, Santa Barbara