"Am I Capable? The Answer Is Yes": A Study of Faculty and Peer Mentoring for Underrepresented STEM Majors

• In Event: Assessing Initiatives and Innovations in STEM

Abstract

Mentoring programs are prolific (Crisp and Cruz, 2009) yet not always helpful for retaining STEM majors (McCoy, Luedke, & Winkle-Wagner, 2017). This study offers evidence of how a peer and faculty mentor may enhance the retention and student experience of underrepresented STEM majors. Further, this study uniquely investigated a mentoring program designed to support STEM majors from low socioeconomic backgrounds, who statistically are less likely to enroll and graduate from college (NCES, 2022). Via one-to-one interviews and anonymous surveys, this study highlights students' voices and what they deem beneficial.

Authors

• Margaret E. Evans, Illinois Wesleyan University
  Presenting Author

• Pennie L Gray, Illinois Wesleyan University
  Presenting Author

• Sheri Glowinski, Illinois Wesleyan University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Rebecca Roesner, Illinois Wesleyan University
  Non-Presenting Author