Exploring Racial Bias, Campus Climate, and STEM Outcomes Among African American Science Students

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: STEM: Making STEM Accessible in the Face of Adversity

Abstract

This study examined racial bias, campus climate, and STEM outcomes among African American students attending a Predominately White Institution (PWI) and a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). Results comparing the two institutions showed that students who attended the PWI perceived more racial discrimination, more racial tension on campus, more stereotype threat and felt less positive about the campus climate compared to students who attended the HBCU. There were no significant differences by institution type in Scientific Identity, STEM Self-Efficacy, or STEM Career Commitment. Multi-group regression analyses showed that campus climate was a consistent significant predictor of STEM outcomes among students attending the HBCU. Whereas, among students attending the PWI, racial bias (stereotype threat) was negatively associated with STEM Self-Efficacy.

Authors

• Aryn M. Dotterer, Utah State University

• Eric Deemer, Purdue University

• Pedro Derosa, Louisiana Tech University

• Stacey Duhon, Grambling State University