part 9A/B

Executive Summary

The Dilemma Facing Women of Color in STEM.Strategic Research Project, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: STEM, women, education, underrepresented, PROPEL, gender, mentoring

STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Within the last several years, STEM has blossomed as a major profession throughout the United States. Careers in STEM have grown more than three times the rate of non-STEM jobs. This pace is not projected to slow down through the next decade. The challenge is that there is a lack of representation of women of color or women in general in STEM related majors and careers. Research suggests that men have dominated the STEM majors, degree conferrals and careers in the last several years.

Understanding the rationale of what motivates both women and women of color to pursue a career in STEM is essential in identifying the gaps in interest, availability and opportunities. Through research of existing literature, it shows that women overwhelmingly lag behind men in representation in STEM fields. This strategic research project was designed to provide solutions for identifying and increasing strategies currently utilized at PROPEL, Inc., an after-school high school program geared towards increasing women and women of color in STEM fields at the undergraduate level. By analyzing the possibilities, barriers, and strategies evaluated, the data indicated that the mentoring support network provided a better strategy for addressing issues of mentorship among women in STEM. The mentoring support network provides opportunities for leadership, teamwork, collaboration building and strategies for the mentor and mentee in strengthening and encouragement. The action plan demonstrates how to implement the best solution for “what works” regarding increasing female students in effective academic programs in STEM. It is the recommendation of this study that the most effective strategy for increasing the number of STEM mentors for the Propel mentoring program is the mentoring support network.