An Asset-Based Study on STEM College Student Mentors of Color's Perception of Leadership

• In Event: Oppression and Agency: Marginalized Students Navigating Higher Education

Abstract

The present study applies asset-based approaches by centering college student mentors’ perspectives of what leadership means to them. The research questions are: How do STEM college students of color conceptualize leadership as mentors in a mentorship program? Utilizing a critical qualitative methodology, the study findings shed light on participants’ equity-oriented perception and enactment of leadership. For example, students express a focus on describing leadership with an equity mindset, including framing leadership with a collectivist orientation, expressing an emphasis on humanized aspect of enacting leadership, and a genuine interest to helping others and minoritized communities. The study findings are important to inform future research and practices in supporting diverse students’ leadership development from asset-based approaches.

Author

• Ting-Han Chang, William Paterson University