Men are overrepresented at the highest levels of leadership in nearly every industry, despite studies that report that men are seen as having less effective leadership abilities than women (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017a; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017b; Catalyst, 2018a; Catalyst, 2019a; Catalyst, 2019b; Taylor et al., 2008; U.S. Department…

There is a significant gap in the number of women who go into college as computer science majors and decide to pursue the field in the workforce. There are challenges present for female students since the start of their education that their male counterparts do not face, which ultimately contributes to this gender gap. Such challenges include a…

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…

This qualitative phenomenological research study aimed to investigate and describe the lived experiences of Latina first-generation college graduates in Texas with relation to the internal and external factors that led to successful degree attainment. The conceptual framework used to describe how Latina first-generation college students perceived…

Previous research demonstrated the variety of learning environments in which experiential learning is used, as well as how constructivism plays a role in education and learning. This study was designed to fill the gap in literature by examining the extent to which participants viewed an experiential learning opportunity as beneficial in relation…

This qualitative research study explores the experiences of four Latina community college students through focused group discussions, incorporating artifacts and vision galleries to unveil their diverse roles. Shifting perspectives, the research questions inform the design of educational interventions addressing psychological distress, mental…

National and local data show that many female students lose interest in STEM at an early age, female students that remain interested in STEM show partiality for life sciences. This results in gender stratification in STEM subject areas and is evident in high school enrollments in elective courses. This three-manuscript dissertation investigates…

The retention of female students in engineering technology programs is a concern for midwestern university focusing to foster diversity in engineering and technology fields. This abstract explores the influence of female students' sense of belonging on their retention in engineering technology degree programs. Drawing upon a review of literature…

Campus public safety plays an essential role in student retention and success at any university or college. To best support students' emotional and physical security, campus police should be aware of their perceptions and expectations of the police as the law enforcement entity directly responsible for their safety. This quantitative study…

Previous research indicates that "The Studies" are helpful to students at both K-12 and higher education levels. Most of these studies focus on K-12 schools, fewer are at the higher education level, and few use quantitative methods to examine students' perceptions of "The Studies." The purpose of this study is to research…

This qualitative study examined the experiences of nonbinary students in higher education at an urban, public, research institution in the Midwest. Purposeful sampling was used to find interested participants. Interviews from eight currently enrolled students who are nonbinary were transcribed. Numerous codes were developed from the interviews…

My dissertation addresses three studies which ask broadly: What are the predictive metrics of functioning AS-CTE pathways? Can students' perceptions of these pathways be changed? Are these pathways equitable for female students? In my first study, I take a step toward better understanding the metrics that explain functioning AS-CTE pathways.…

This narrative inquiry study explored how higher education impacted undergraduate students' retention, focusing on first-generation college students (FGCS) of color at an urban public R1 university in the mid-South. A key objective was to understand these students' challenges today and how the intersection of their identities influenced their…

Using a three-article format, this study investigates the potential of integrating social studies instruction with critical literacy practices to challenge and/or expand elementary students' perception of gender. Given that stereotypical gender norms and roles uphold systemic inequity and injustice, challenging these perceptions in elementary…

The purpose of this study was to examine how gender pairings affect performance and attitudes in a serious gaming task. By identifying factors that can improve performance and attitudes of middle school students in STEM, it is hoped that the gender gap can be minimized. Male-male pairs had the highest scores for game progress, but there were no…