Persistence is a major issue facing students, particularly those who are both female and from underrepresented ethnic minorities (URM). A closer look at the variables affecting their commitment and capacity for continuing the pursuit of their goal allows us to better design support systems that bolster persistence. This study tests a structural…

This study looks at the educational experiences, from the preschool years to advanced professional training in STEM fields, of a targeted sample of 10 (7 male, 3 female) early college entrants in China who later became professors at prestigious USA research universities. The purpose of the study was to find out (1) what some identifiable…

Background: People who are racialized, gendered, or otherwise minoritized are underrepresented in computing professions in North America. This is reflected in undergraduate computer science (CS) programs, in which students from marginalized backgrounds continue to experience inequities that do not typically affect White cis-men. This is especially…

In this manuscript, we offer a brief understanding of the educational experiences of gang-impacted students in K-12 and postsecondary education. Using evidence-based and interconnected support systems that account for the multifaceted needs of gang-impacted students, such as basic needs, mental health, workforce development, technology, and other…

The "ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study Framework™" offers educators an evidence- based blueprint for evaluating career and technical education (CTE) programs of study and targeting areas for improvement. Detailing 12 elements integral to high-quality CTE programming, educators can use the Framework and accompanying self-assessment…

The California Community College System is an entry point for the majority of first-generation college students. This case study of a community college in Southern California examined the experiences and motivations of both Latinx students in their major/career decision-making process and the community college counseling faculty who serve, educate…

The growing number of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in postsecondary education requires accommodations beyond typically provided supports in order to ensure success. However, most campuses lack support services provided in addition to general accommodations. A supplemental support program within a public university was developed to…

Postsecondary retention of students in STEM continues to be a challenge. Access to mentorship, experiential learning activities, and lack of intentional K-12 preparation impact retention in STEM for students of color in particular. Career development interventions that provide focus on self-exploration, career decision-making, and career thoughts…

Undergraduate research experiences (URE) can help retain and support STEM undergraduate program persistence for underrepresented populations, women, and nontraditional STEM students, such as community college students. Understanding their primary discipline, obtaining critical thinking skills, improving their communication skills, gaining…

Mentorship is the guidance given by a more experienced and older individual to a younger and less experienced individual, usually working in the same profession or field. This relationship is developmental, with the mentor taking a key interest in improving and enhancing the skills of their protege. Many people attribute part of their professional…

In this article we explore the level of motivation held by students engaged in a specially designed leadership program -- Emerging Leaders in Technology, Science and Mathematics (Elites). Elites was developed as part of a NSF S-STEM grant awarded to Radford University in 2014 that provides scholarships for meritorious students with financial need,…

The purpose of this study was to gather feedback from Black female students who are navigating their way through the secondary STEM pathway. The study, modeled on the "Social Cognitive Career Theory" (Lent and Brown, 2006, 2008; Lent et al. 1994, 2000) was used to explore factors that influenced the interest and persistence of Black…

This paper offers a synthesis on computing identity and the experiences of women and minoritized populations in computing and computer science in higher education. Examining computing identity and its role in the computing experiences of minoritized undergraduates can help us better understand ways to engage and support women and minoritized…

This article offers a case example of how experimental evaluation methods can be coupled with principles of design-based implementation research (DBIR), improvement science (IS), and rapid-cycle evaluation (RCE) methods to provide relatively quick, low-cost, credible assessments of strategies designed to improve programs, policies, or practices.…

Reintegration into civilian life as nontraditional learners pursuing a four-year bachelor's degree remains a challenging career transition and goal achievement for many student veterans seeking career advancement through higher education. There is insufficient research on student veterans' academic achievement, knowledge about perceptions and…