Passion, Camaraderie, and Threat: Sense of Belonging for STEM Community College Students

• In Event: Perspectives on Sense of Belonging in Higher Education

Abstract

Taking a strengths-based approach to foster more inclusive STEM academic spaces, this study aims to understand what constitutes sense of belonging for a group of low-income STEM community college (CC) students. Given the range of life experiences, CC students hold and the life stages they are in, gaining their diverse perspectives offers valuable insights regarding what fosters and/or inhibits their sense of belonging in STEM settings. An examination of these specific dynamics is relevant to improving efforts to support their persistence in STEM. We address the following research questions: What instances or factors contribute to feelings of belonging in STEM for underrepresented minoritized STEM CC students? What instances or factors contribute to feelings of not belonging in STEM?

Authors

• Selena Marie Velasquez, The University of Arizona

• Elia Bueno, University of Arizona

• Candace Jones, The University of Arizona

• Regina J. Deil-Amen, University of Arizona