Challenges and Strategies in Promoting Inclusive Racial Climates in STEM Graduate Departments

• In Event: Accepting Responsibility for Shaping Equitable Learning Environments

Abstract

This study examined the challenges and strategies for change that faculty and administrators described as relevant to promoting inclusive racial climates for graduate students in STEM departments. Participants identified admissions and recruitment practices, overall graduate program experiences, and faculty participation in DEI reform efforts as barriers to improving racial climate. While participants named and implemented several strategies to promoting more inclusive racial climates for graduate Students of Color, including enhancing recruitment and admissions processes, improving graduate experiences, and involving faculty with DEI efforts, many of these efforts were articulated as individual efforts, rather than systemic ones. Furthermore, much of the work to improve racial climate fell to faculty or graduate Students of Color.

Authors

• Rosemary J. Perez, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Rudisang Motshubi, Iowa State University

• Sarah Rodriguez, Texas A&M University - Commerce