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Native Americans account for only 0.2% (N=68) of engineering faculty, while Native American students are underrepresented in both undergraduate (0.6%; N=1853) and graduate (0.1%; N=173) engineering programs. Advising and mentorship from faculty members who identify as Native American are important components to support programs for Native American students in STEM fields. However, little is known about the experiences and career decisions of Native American engineering faculty. Our exploratory study aims to identify the contextual and individual factors and the linkages in this small population that influence their entry and persistence as engineering faculty. Data is from four initial faculty interviews.
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Factors that influence Native Americans’ interests and aspirations for engineering faculty positions
Native American faculty are critical to attracting Native American students into the engineering profession. We are investigating factors related to Native Americans’ pursuit of engineering and the engineering faculty. In a sample of student participants, we have found that initiative, resiliency, leadership, and proactivity are key. Interests in this career path are related to efficacy (confidence) for addressing engineering problems, access to information regarding engineering careers, academic success, encouragement from others, and beliefs about the meaningfulness, value, and usefulness of pursuing engineering and the engineering professorate. In a sample of faculty members, enthusiasm for investigating questions of interest in their engineering fields, and solving problems experienced in their tribal communities, sustain their interest. The love of teaching and mentoring students are also very important. Audience members will be invited to participate and to provide insights about how Native Americans are inspired to study engineering and become engineering faculty.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1743329
- PAR ID:
- 10110966
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conference
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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