Diversity at the Centre? Investigating disparate retention rates for minority students in STEM

Diversity at the Centre? Investigating disparate retention rates for minority students in STEM

Division II, first place prize winner.

With each passing year, there is a rise in career opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) related fields. The number of racial/ethnic minorities and women in such fields, however, is not increasing at equal rates. This ongoing research began its focus on trying to understand why there is such a disproportionate number of racial/ethnic minorities and women in such fields and how this may be traced back to graduate and undergraduate level academia, like Centre College. Through an anonymous survey developed particularly for current seniors, whether they are pursuing a STEM degree or not, the survey sought to understand the unique experiences of students within STEM classrooms at Centre and how that has influenced their desire to continue STEM or seek alternative career paths. Information provided through student responses offers ways for improving recruitment and more importantly retention of minority students and women in STEM at Centre College.