Latine STEM College Students’ Support Network Properties: Descriptive Findings from a Three-Wave Panel Study

• In Event: Networks and Support Systems in Higher Education

Abstract

This study describes how Latine STEM undergraduates’ support networks evolve over three years at Southwestern U.S. colleges. Using egocentric network analysis, we document shifts in network characteristics (e.g., size, density, tie strength, homophily-heterophily), with gender-disaggregated findings for cisgender men, cisgender women, and non-binary students. Findings include that students expand their networks over time while experiencing declining density and tie strength. Gender comparisons revealed differing patterns of support networks, with cisgender women and non-binary participants maintaining larger yet less dense networks and reporting more changes in their networks compared to cisgender men. Findings underscore the opportunity to further investigate and support gender-specific support network characteristics and the role of higher education in strengthening Latine students’ success in STEM fields.

Authors

• Kyoungjin Jang-Tucci, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Nidia Bañuelos, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Ross J. Benbow, University of Wisconsin - Madison