The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of women engineering students through socialization processes during their cooperative education, co-op, experience., in which students gain work experience in their chose industries. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with female engineering students who have completed at least…

Nearly one-fifth of U.S. children attend rural schools; however, these students have fewer opportunities for high-quality STEM learning. Rural students are also less likely to attend college and less likely to enroll in STEM majors than their urban and suburban peers. In conjunction with these factors, female students are also less likely to…

A "leaky pipeline" exists for women to obtain a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) leadership position in the United States (U.S.). A deeper dive into what was holding women back from an engineering leadership position is imperative in today's technology-driven world. Utilizing feminist theory as a theoretical lens,…

A "leaky pipeline" exists for women to obtain a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) leadership position in the United States (U.S.). A deeper dive into what was holding women back from an engineering leadership position is imperative in today's technology-driven world. Utilizing feminist theory as a theoretical lens,…

National data shows that despite gains over the past twenty years, females remain underrepresented in the engineering workforce. Education's role in supporting the engineering pipeline cannot be ignored. Middle school teachers who lack integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (iSTEM) efficacy are less likely to engage students,…

Although an increase in their participation could reduce workforce shortages and diversify innovations in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, African American women remain significantly underrepresented in male-dominated AEC careers. Furthermore, partly due to the lack of early and meaningful AEC exposure, African…

This exploratory study attempted to determine if there were specific precollege or college experiences that female engineering students have had that impacted their perceived social self-confidence. Particularly, the study focused on female engineering students enrolled at private institutions of higher education. The study focused on private…

This study sought to address the problem of the low persistence of African American women in engineering careers. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of African American women engineers on the impact of their educational experiences on their persistence in engineering career fields. Social Cognitive Career Theory was used as…

Kuh's theory of student engagement was used in this quantitative study to examine the relationship between student participation in co-curricular activities and student engagement among women in engineering programs in community colleges. Self-reported ex post facto student data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) for…

Positive mentoring experiences are crucial for retaining and advancing those who hold marginalized identities in STEM, as they foster a greater sense of belonging and self-efficacy that encourage these students to persist in their fields. Marginalized identities in STEM include, but are not limited to, women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People…

This mixed-method study explored female students' sense of belonging while studying in a mechanical engineering program. Mechanical engineering has one of the lowest proportions of women and remains one of the least chosen majors of female engineering students. To start to understand why, it is important to have research focused specifically on…

This dissertation investigates the issue of gender stratification within engineering and other STEM-related fields. The dissertation is divided into three articles that address different aspects of the problem and propose potential solutions. Article 1 explores the persistent gender imbalance within STEM fields, particularly in engineering and…

Higher education has long recognized women's numerous challenges in undergraduate engineering programs. Several factors contribute to this lack of belonging, including a lack of diversity among student populations, microaggressions, prejudices, and traditions still rooted in male customs. An overlooked factor that may help foster a sense of…

This study examined the racialized enclosure that African American/Black women in technology and engineering experience as they navigate to executive leadership. This qualitative narrative inquiry research explored, through lived experiences, the racialized enclosures inhibiting African American/Black women from excelling to executive leadership…

Historically marginalized social identities of race and gender, coupled with established power structures, have contributed to the underrepresentation of Black women engineering students in a White male-dominated discipline. The National Science Foundation (NSF, 2019) reported that Black women represent a disproportionately lower number of…