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Coping Strategies of Minoritized Students in STEM Higher Education

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

July 12, 2024

Conference Session

Voices of Diversity: Perspectives and Experiences in STEM Education

Tagged Division

Minorities in Engineering Division(MIND)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/47078

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Paper Authors

biography

Nagash Clarke

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Nagash Clarke is a doctoral student at the University of Michigan working with Dr. Joi-Lynn Mondisa. In his research, he examines mentoring as well as racial allyship for broadening minoritized participation in STEM higher education. He received a Bachelor's in Chemistry from Pace University.

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biography

Joi-Lynn Mondisa University of Michigan Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-3959-6548

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Joi Mondisa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering and an Engineering Education Faculty Member at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.

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Abstract

Previous research shows that the inherent systemic inequities present in STEM higher education impacts minority participation negatively as evidenced by phenomena like, low sense of belonging, isolation, low self-efficacy, and attrition. Thus, minoritized populations (persons who identify as Black, Latinx, Native Alaskan, Indigenous, or Asian Pacific Islander) have had to overcome many barriers to participation in STEM higher education. In addressing this participation, some research uses deficit frameworks that assume minoritized students lack coping skills (for e.g., how to balance work and classes), and these can be provided for them, for example, through intervention programs. However, there is a general lack of understanding regarding how these students cope from an assets-based lens. This study reports on the coping strategies of 31 minoritized students, and is guided by the research questions: 1) what personal coping mechanisms do minoritized undergraduate students use to navigate STEM fields? and 2) how do mentees leverage assistance from mentors in order to navigate STEM fields? The data was examined through critical race theory and mentoring frameworks. Preliminary results indicate that the participants used various forms of coping strategies including: mentoring, academic support, avoidance/distancing, family, social support, and self-care. These findings can help provide information about mental health resources to support these students, as well as the need for intentional mentoring and advising by faculty and staff. These efforts may have broader implications towards increasing minoritized participation in STEM fields.

Clarke, N., & Mondisa, J. (2024, June), Coping Strategies of Minoritized Students in STEM Higher Education Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/47078

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