Framed by Strayhorn's (2012) model of sense of belonging, this study examined the influence of academic and social collegiate experiences on the sense of belonging of undergraduate Latina students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. "Sense of belonging" refers to a feeling of mattering or being connected and can be seen as a reflection of the supports that exist within a given context. This study used a qualitative, phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of 17 undergraduate Latina students majoring in STEM disciplines at a tier-one predominantly white public research university in the southwest. We found that Latina students often felt marginalized within their STEM environments, faced skepticism and self-doubt inflicted by their male peers, and were forced to navigate feelings of isolation during their college journeys. To build a sense of belonging, students actively resisted marginalization by reframing their experiences as trailblazing and engaging with identity-based STEM organizations. Implications for improving institutional practice and policy are discussed.

This qualitative, phenomenological research study explored how 17 Latina undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors developed their STEM identities. The study focused on the role that self-and outside recognition as a STEM individual played in the process. Interviews revealed students' self-recognition in many forms. Outside recognition came primarily from STEM peers, faculty members, and family members. Self-and outside recognition were often negotiated through the lens of intersectional identities held by the participants.

Abstract:This study examines an aspect of gender and racial/ethnic gaps in undergraduate computing by focusing on sense of belonging among women and underrepresented minority (URM) introductory computing students. We examine change in sense of belonging during the introductory course as well as the predictors of belonging, with attention to conditional effects by gender and URM status. Results show that sense of belonging outcomes are a product of both incoming student characteristics and college environments and experiences, highlighting the important role the computing faculty play in fostering belonging. These and other findings are discussed, focusing on sense of belonging among women, URM students, and URM women.

This theoretical paper explores the need for enhanced, intersectional computing identity theory for the purpose of developing a diverse group of computer scientists for the future. Greater theoretical understanding of the identity formation process specifically for computing is needed in order to understand how students come to understand themselves as computer scientists. To ensure that the next generation of computer scientists is diverse, this paper presents a case for examining identity development intersectionally, understanding the ways in which women and underrepresented students may have difficulty identifying as computer scientists and be systematically oppressed in their pursuit of computer science careers. Through a review of the available scholarship, this paper suggests that creating greater theoretical understanding of the computing identity development process will inform the way in which educational stakeholders consider computer science practices and policies. AbstractThis theoretical paper explores the need for enhanced, intersectional computing identity theory for the purpose of developing a diverse group of computer scientists for the future.Greater theoretical understanding of the identity formation process specifically for computing is needed in order to understand how students come to understand themselves as computer scientists. To ensure that the next generation of computer scientists is diverse, this paper presents a case for examining identity development intersectionally, understanding the ways in which women and underrepresented students may have difficulty identifying as computer scientists and be systematically oppressed in their pursuit of computer science careers. Through a review of the available scholarship, this paper suggests that creating greater theoretical understanding of the computing identity development process will inform the way in which educational stakeholders consider computer science practices and policies.

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Addressing Latinx student underrepresentation in STEM requires an assets-based reimagining of STEM experiences and pathways that facilitate student success. Drawing on data from two qualitative studies of Latinx students pursuing STEM majors, findings reveal that Latinx students draw on at least six distinct forms of cultural assets to facilitate their, and at times their peers’, persistence in STEM. Latinx students then utilize these cultural assets to develop culturally grounded understandings of themselves as STEM individuals.