The number of Hispanic, African American, Alaskan Native, and American Indian students who graduate in science disciplines and find employment in science careers is unacceptably low, as are the retention rates of the small number of students of color who matriculate into graduate-level science programs. While approximately 25,000 PhDs in STEM disciplines are awarded each year by universities in the United States, students enrolled as underrepresented minorities (predominantly Black and Hispanic) earn less than 5% of those degrees despite comprising ~30% of the total population (Fabio et al. 2008, National Science Foundation 2018). Students of color face many obstacles and barriers to science engagement, including cultural differences and lack of exposure to mentors and role models (Hall and Post-Krammer 1987, Maton et al. 2000, House 2000, Armstrong et al. 2007). These barriers limit the ability of underrepresented minorities to succeed in STEM pathways.
展开▼
