Cultivating Capital: How Latina Graduate STEM Students Promote Their STEM Perseverance

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 11:45 am - Gold 3
  In Roundtable Session: Latinx Graduate Pathways in STEM and Beyond: Mapping Belonging, Capital, and Cultural Persistence

Abstract

Understanding the factors that disempower Latina STEM participation can help improve institutions' academic and non-academic (e.g., financial, emotional) offerings that promote supportive environments that facilitate persistence. Therefore, this qualitative study draws on seven in-depth interviews conducted with Latinas in STEM graduate programs to explore how they used their assets to advance through their STEM journeys. Using Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth and Kolluri’s patchwork capital framework, this study asks about the ways these students mobilize their cultural assets to persevere within their program. Findings suggest that Latina STEM graduate students’ existing knowledge sets, experiences, and connections adapt to create the resources needed to persevere throughout their STEM journey. These resources came in the form of emotional, academic, financial, and professional support.

Author

• Yolanda Arciniega, University of California - Los Angeles