Conference Session

Women, Minorities and the New Engineering Educator

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cheryl Allendoerfer, University of Washington; Sharon Jones, Lafayette College; Jaime Hernandez, Texas State University-San Marcos; Rebecca Bates, Minnesota State University-Mankato; Robin Adams, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

New Engineering Educators

2003, Hispanic Americans and AfricanAmericans comprised 6.2% and 7.9% respectively of those graduating with an undergraduateengineering degree from U.S. colleges7, while the general population of the U.S. is comprised ofapproximately 14% Hispanic Americans and 12% African Americans8. Moreover, Chubin et al9also reported that fewer than two in five (40%) minority first-year students who enterengineering graduate with an engineering degree. Clearly, diversity issues having to do withopportunities for underrepresented minority students are a major concern.However, racial/ethnic diversity was not chosen as a focus for this study simply in response tothe national concern. Focusing on African American and Hispanic American students isimportant and