61.080 - Diversifying Engineering: Insights and Lessons From Students, Faculty, and Staff

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium will draw from the perspectives of current engineering higher education practitioners and students to glean new lessons about how institutions can increase Black student participation and persistence in engineering. Four papers will be presented, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Each paper has different conceptual frameworks which include: Anti-deficit theory; Social Cognitive Career theory; and theories about institutional diversity and diverse learning environments. Presented findings will identify current challenges that exist to increasing diversity in engineering education, and inform institutional leaders and diversity practitioners about how they can better support Black students who may be interested or who are currently enrolled in engineering programs.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Research Focus on Black Education

Chair

• Nicole Lewis, University of Hawaii - Manoa

Papers

• Gendered Dispositions: An Examination of the Academic Aspirations and Career Interests of African American Males and Females in Engineering - Janeula M. Burt, Bowie State University

• Diversity Stalled: Explorations Into the Stagnant Numbers of African American Engineering Faculty - Ebony Omotola McGee, Vanderbilt Peabody College; William Robinson, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• Lessons Learned From Minority Engineering Program Professionals Increasing the Production of Black Engineers - Alaine Allen, University of Pittsburgh

• Diversity From the Inside Out: Exploring the Institutional Climate of Engineering Programs Across the Country - Brooke Coley, University of Virginia

Discussant

• Sosanya M. Jones, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale