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Academic and Social Barriers to Black and Latino Male Collegians’ Success in Engineering and Related STEM Fields
Terrell L. Strayhorn, Leroy L. Long III, Joseph A. Kitchen, Michael Steven Williams, and Meg Stentz
Abstract
Historically underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities (i.e. African Americans, Latinos, and
Native Americans) have experienced barriers to their success in engineering and related STEM
fields. These student populations have had lower degree attainment rates, switch to non-STEM
majors more frequently, and experience unique social challenges when compared to White and
Asian Pacific Islander counterparts. To examine these findings, nearly 50 interviews were
conducted and analyzed in the present study to better understand the academic and social
experiences of African American and Latino American men in these fields. Interviews revealed
that these students tend to (1) feel alone and invisible, (2) lack same race peers and faculty
members, (3) have difficulty applying theory to practice, and (4) lack the pre-college preparation
necessary to succeed in STEM fields.
