Belonging in Engineering for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous Students: Promising Results From an Educational Intervention

• In Event: Equity in Computer Science and Engineering Education

Abstract

This mixed-methods study addressed the efficacy of an ecological belonging intervention that was implemented in a required first-year engineering course and designed to increase belonging among Black, Latino/a/x, and Indigenous (BLI) students. The intervention is designed to normalize struggle and thereby create belonging within the course domain. We focus on changes to BLI students' sense of belonging within the course domain, on challenges to belonging that these students discuss, and how they create belonging within the engineering space. Preliminary findings indicate that the targeted belonging intervention for BLI engineering students can help to address issues like feelings of isolation and academic confidence that negatively impact individuals’ sense of belonging, potentially removing barriers to persistence in engineering.

Authors

• Linda DeAngelo, University of Pittsburgh
  Presenting Author

• Allison Godwin, Cornell University
  Presenting Author

• Kevin J. Kaufman-Ortiz, Purdue University
  Presenting Author

• Gerard Dorve-Lewis, University of Pittsburgh
  Presenting Author

• Danielle Vegas Lewis, SUNY - College at Fredonia
  Presenting Author

• Heather Perkins, Purdue University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Bev Conrique, University of Pittsburgh
  Non-Presenting Author