A Latent Class Analysis of Guest Speakers in Undergraduate STEM Courses

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Abstract

Little empirical research has investigated why faculty invite guest speakers and how the topics of these guest visits relate to faculty motivation. Because students benefit from diverse role models, guest speakers are a promising practice for supporting underrepresented students in STEM. We examined the implementation of guest speakers using survey responses from 444 STEM and STEM-related college instructors who hosted a guest speaker in the previous academic year. Four latent classes underlying the reasons for inviting guest speakers and the topics they present can provide a helpful framework for understanding why and how faculty implement guest speakers. We discuss the use of faculty profiles to advance underrepresented students in STEM disciplines.

Authors

• Sara Dozier, California State University - Long Beach

• Quentin Sedlacek, Southern Methodist University

• Michelle Friend, University of Nebraska - Omaha

• Anthony Muro Villa, University of California - Riverside

• Maricela Leon, The University of Texas System

• Karla Lomeli, Santa Clara University

• Greses Perez, Tufts University

• Joel Alejandro Mejia, University of Cincinnati