An institutional culture that promotes equity by empowering organizational structures to facilitate the attainment of leadership positions among underrepresented women is essential to the advancement of STEM disciplines in our nation. The current study examines experiences of underrepresented women of color and informs best practices for the advancement of underrepresented women in the STEM professoriate at both HBCUs and PWIs. The qualitative component of the study conducted semi-structured interviews (n=22) with underrepresented women across all ranks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via phone using an external interviewer. Participants responded to interview questions adapted from the Life Interview Approach (McAdams, 1995) to elicit participant descriptions of their career journey, perception of support, perception of equity/inequity, recommendations for positive procedural and policy change, and visions for the future. Findings and recommendations for transformation will be discussed.

Dismantling and navigating institutional barriers for women of color in STEM using collective wisdom

256th National Meeting (2018)

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