The Role Of Diversity In Higher Education

Minorities are a growing segment of the population. However, this group continues to be underrepresented in the area of post secondary education. Obtaining an advanced degree remains a likely predictor of future career success. The problem facing the minority student is that barriers persist which continue to hinder enrollment, retention, and graduation rates in institutions of higher education. These barriers must be identified and examined and solutions offered if college completion rates are to be increased for this population.

As a part of the HBCU Alumni Alliance’s Higher Education initiative program; Alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are concerned about the inadequate representation of minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related professions. Consequently, DCHBCUAA STEM professionals have designed and organized an instructional hands-on STEM workshop for students in grades 10-12, to enlighten them on the different facets of professions available in the sciences. As a part of our community partnership with Kaiser Permanente, we have a workshop scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 800 am-5:00 pm, at 2101 Jefferson Street in Rockville, Maryland.

Alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are concerned about the inadequate representation of minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related professions. Consequently, DCHBCUAA STEM professionals have designed and organized an instructional hands-on workshop for students in grades 10-12. The workshop is designed to increase their awareness of the exciting opportunities available in the sciences and to provide an opportunity for students to talk to subject matter experts currently working in STEM occupations.

51 percent of the United States is female but only 34.4 percent of doctors are women. While 90.4 percent of nurses are female (“Women in Medicine”; “Male Nurses Becoming”), the women who do become doctors earn an astounding 25 percent less than their male counterparts (Groves). These staggering figures are only a single piece in the larger overall lack of women in STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which has remained prevalent since the beginning of these fields. Although women are underrepresented in these STEM fields, this is not due to ineptitude, but instead it is a result of the force of societal stereotypes coupled with their wider range of abilities. The recent increase in women’s association with STEM seems

Some implications of this study are that women- only STEM programs can benefit women in general, but minorities in particular, and these kinds of programs should be studied and implemented to assure that women will get the help they need to succeed. The question that this study leaves unanswered, that Rosenthal, L., London, B., & Levy, S.R. (2011) answer, is: What explains this sense of belonging that women feel?

Columbia is breaking through barriers of not only lack of women in STEM, but of minorities, and the ethnic diversity of Columbia Engineering and Columbia’s focus

While this bill undoubtedly aligned with the mission and purpose of women’s colleges, there remains an unbalanced amount of representation of women in STEM programs and careers. “Globally, women remain particularly behind in participation at elite institutions and in traditional ‘male’ fields of study including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM” (Renn, 2014, p. 3). While the very existence of women’s colleges asserts their right to belong within realms of higher education, the work towards equity and inclusion must take place in all facets of life. “Even where women outnumber men in undergraduate enrollments and enjoy full access to higher education, women’s institutions act symbolically to remind society that in many other domains of public and private life, gender equality remains elusive” (Renn, 2014, p. 125).

A goal of President Barack Obama’s Educate to Innovate initiative in 2008 was to increase the contributions of underrepresented minority (URM) students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) (White House, 2009). Notably, in the context of the United States, the fastest growing and youngest URMs are Hispanics. Demographic projections suggest that Hispanics will comprise 30 percent of the U.S. population by 2040 and the majority demographic group in several states (United States Census, 2008). Thus, the need to encourage and support innovation and competitiveness in STEM participation is important, especially for Hispanic students, who are significantly underrepresented. In 2009, Hispanics represented 16 percent of the U. S. population and 26 percent of all undergraduate enrollments, but they earned just 11.9 percent of STEM bachelor’s degrees in that year (National Science Foundation (NSF), 2010). In terms of STEM disciplines, Hispanics received 3.4 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded in the life sciences, 0.7 percent in the physical sciences, 0.5 percent in mathematics, 2.6 percent in the computer science field and 4.7 percent in engineering (Chen, Ho & Soldner, 2013). This low STEM degree

This report navigates the current state of STEM demographic in the country. It examines the reasons why there are less females undertaking STEM majors and gives recommendations on the problems. A brief history on STEM is outlined and the discussion follows with in depth analysis on the subject. STEM is a very critical education discipline with an importance in the economy of the country. Much as it is important, few students choose a career path in STEM. Although, there are more than 50% female students in Colleges and Universities, 12% take STEM related course. Why is this? This report is a compilation of empirical data collected in journals on the same subject explaining

Today’s college students have the opportunity and freedom to choose their major and their career path. Many factors influence the decision of a college student’s career paths including background, general interests, personal strengths, time commitment, and job outlook. Although many important decisions are made in college, one of the most important is the choice of major and career track. Out of hundreds of majors the science and engineering fields are under-represented by women. Although the numbers of women in science technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM, majors has been increasing in the past years, women still are in the minority in the STEM fields. In her study, Lona Whitmarsh

The world is filled different cultures, races and ethnicities, and it is crucial that our higher education institutions reflect this diversity. Representation matters. We are a country filled with diverse cultures all of which whom need to be represented. The purpose of this literature review is to explain why and how diversity in a higher education setting is important. Students learn better in such an environment and are better prepared to become active participants in our pluralistic, democratic society once they leave school Diversity is not only important among the student population but also within college curriculum. It is an important issue regardless of the setting. However, when it is applied it to a place where people come to learn,

areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics employers are not getting enough women (Pozniak). High school girls only represent 17 percent of computer science Advance Placement (AP) test takers (O'Shea). The most significant group of minorities who are behind in earning computer technology degrees and working in science and mathematical professions are women. “Historically, women’s low representation in science and engineering was said to be due in large part of their lack of ability, interest, or both” (Horning 30). However, this is no longer a true fact according to Ward. Some suggestions to increasing the amount of women in sciences include introducing already present women faculty as mentors. Over the last three decades,

America is more racially and ethnically diverse than ever before. Today, more than half of all newborns are of color and some demographers predict that more than half all youth under the age of 18 will be of color before the end of this decade (Frey, 2011). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2050, America will be a country without any clear racial or ethnic majority. Yet, our institutions of higher education do not reflect this rising demographic tide. America’s global leadership depends on gaining a competitive edge in an ever-expanding, diverse world economy that depends on the expertise of professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) fields. Yet universities continue to struggle to admit

The hard sciences (science, technology, engineering, and math) are important to the advancements of a country because they encourage the development of new and creative progress that can keep their country sharp, and a force to be reckoned with, which gives them power. Although STEM fields are crucial for countries to get ahead, there is a societal belief in America, that women are less capable and less qualified then men in these fields. It appears that this societal belief has led to a gender gap in STEM courses and careers between men and women. The lack of women in these fields could be hindering our countries advancements.

It is believed that the idea that women should not pursue STEM programs is silently placed into their heads from a very young age (1). Girls in elementary schools usually have male science and math teachers, which causes them to believe that those who participate or enjoy STEM studies are usually more masculine. A study was done and shows that girls who believe that math is strictly for men do not do as well in math as girls who do not see it from the same perspective (2). This makes it more difficult for a young girl to openly express that she enjoys STEM courses especially since as she progresses through school, the majority of the students in her science and math classes will be male (1). Based on observational studies done in math and science classrooms, it has been found that the