Abstract: Several barriers deter Latina
PhDs from entering into STEM careers in academia. Few qualitative
studies have documented the career paths of Latinas in STEM
fields to understand the contextual factors leading them
to choose other career pathways outside of the
professoriate. This interdisciplinary team of researchers has set
out to investigate the career paths of former Latina UC
President Postdoctoral fellows (PPFP) in various STEM
disciplines between 1998 and 2014 by conducting in-depth,
semi-structured interviews. The interviews are designed to
identify the social, familial, and institutional barriers PPFP
scholars have faced, their experiences of gender, class, and
ethnic/racial discrimination, and the impact of the fellowship on
their career success. This presentation will focus on the
factors Latina PPFP fellows experienced throughout their
educational trajectories that have lead them to successfully
enter academia.
ADVANCE presented on “Igniting the Dream: Supports
and Strategies to Diversify STEM Fields” at the 3rd Annual California
STEM Symposium October 29-30, 2015 in Anaheim, CA. The
presentation explored findings from a national research project
focused on determining the predictive factors influencing and
promoting diverse students to enter STEM fields in academia. Key
findings, along with practical tools, were presented for
educators to provide culturally appropriate supports and
strategies.
Presenter: Lisceth
Brazil-Cruz, Postdoctoral Scholar, UC Davis ADVANCE,
University of California, Davis