Race x Gender x STEM: Exploring Experiences of Black Women Pursuing STEM Degrees at HBCUs

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 5:10 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Enhancing STEM Engagement and Identity Formation (Table 7)

Abstract

This research seeks to understand the experiences of Black women pursuing an undergraduate degree in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) discipline at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Three hundred forty-six Black women from nine HBCUs completed an electronic survey to answer items related to their STEM experiences. Preliminary findings highlight the importance of positive perceptions of identities, feelings about STEM, and on-campus support. This work identifies experiences contributing to the enrollment and retention of Black women in STEM in an effort to improve equitable opportunities for success through policy and practice.

Authors

• Brittany Boyd, American Institutes for Research

• Mercy Mugo, Qem Network

• Ivory A. Toldson, Howard University