Wayfinding and Becoming: Native American Graduate Student Experiences in STEM

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 9:00 am
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding STEM Student Experiences: Wayfinding, Advising, and Climate (Table 31)

Abstract

This qualitative study explores Native American (NA) graduate students lived experiences of navigating and wayfinding within STEM fields and home communities. Their own voices document how NA students learn to create possibilities, develop emergent perspectives, and cultivate intellectual affinities. We conducted seven semi-structured interviews with NA masters or PhD students, two group interviews with three students each, leading to 14 self-identified NA in STEM. The findings of this study show students learn, navigate, and find their way through STEM in different ways managing and using their cognitive, cultural, and social identities. Students also navigated their identities as a scholar and community member. This interactive process between finding their way in community and STEM was ongoing, nonlinear, and emotional.

Authors

• Carrie B. Myers, Montana State University

• Scott M Myers, Montana State University

• Shihua Chen Brazill, Montana Tech

• Catherine Mary Johnson, Reach Inc.