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Moderator: Jenny Shanahan, Bridgewater State University

Re-engineering, Re-imaging and Redesigning Campus Culture and Climate to Support Undergraduate Black Women in STEM Education

Ansley Booker, Mercer University

This study explored the lived experiences of Black women who successfully earned graduate STEM degrees at PWIs to determine which factors were considered barriers or catalysts for their matriculation, graduation, and job success. The data revealed several barriers including a "chilly" campus environment, racism/sexism/discrimination, and bias. The catalysts included mentors, BIPOC faculty, and a cohort model. When barriers were not mitigated, negative outcomes persisted including pay inequities, "glass obstacles" and decreased retention and matriculation. The lens in which the study was conducted utilized Social Cognitive Career Theory and Tinto's Model of Institutional Departure. This study is timely and unique in that it is a review of the academic and career journeys of the participants as well as insight into the academic environments of HBCUs and PWIs. The results of the study may provide insight into the retention, matriculation of Black women in STEM disciplines where they are often underrepresented minorities.

Embracing Diversity in the Workplace

Jesse Ross, CFRE | International Professional Speaker | Executive Coach | Consultant

Communicating in a diverse, multicultural environment can be awkward. For example, someone might make a sweeping and inappropriate generalization to a coworker about what "his people" are like, causing discord. More subtle problems can involve the differences in how people from different cultures communicate. A gesture that's acceptable in one culture might be meaningless or offensive in another. How do you communicate well and be aware of cultural conflicts that crop up, even subtle ones? This workshop explores how to be aware of our own biases, and how we can make our workplaces a barrier free environment so our customers get the best experience possible.