Relationships among Sense of Community, Science Self-Efficacy, and Science Identity for Female Meyerhoff Scholars: Implications for Pathways to Broadening the Workforce in STEM

Abstract

Women remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, even with the plethora of programs to increase diversity. Understanding the undergraduate experience for female students of color majoring in STEM is critical for determining effective strategies for retention and smooth career pathways. Using data from 96 (predominantly) African-American female and Latina students in the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, this study quantitatively examined the relationships among sense of community, science self-efficacy, and science identity. Mediation models were run on all female STEM majors in the dataset. There was a positive and significant indirect effect of sense of program community on science identity via science self-efficacy. The results of this study enhance our understanding of how female Meyerhoff students with a strong sense of program community thrive in STEM. It adds support to previous studies of the positive impact that student-focused programs that address multiple areas of students of color needs and challenges have on psychosocial variables important to student success. This study provides further insight into the critical work of retaining female undergraduate students of color in STEM programs and ensuring their success along the pathway to a STEM career.