| Title | Programmatic efforts affect retention of women in science and engineering |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2001 |
| Authors | Hathaway RS, Sharp S, Davis C |
| Journal | Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering |
| Volume | 7 |
| Pagination | 107-124 |
| Keywords | Diversity Institute Literature Review, Minorities, Retention, Social support, Special programs, Undergraduate, Women |
| Summary | This article describes the results of a program at a large Midwestern university that is designed to help women stay in science and engineering through a two-year shared housing program. The program was more effective for science majors, who tended to leave STEM more easily, than for engineering majors, who already had a high rate of retention. It was also more effective for White and Asian students than forunderrepresented students of color. |
| Extended Summary | The manuscript presents the results of a series of interviews conducted among members of several Departments of Science and Engineering in attendance at the 1997 Grace Hopper Women in Computing Conference. The purpose of the study was to identify those practices deemed successful for attracting and retaining female graduate students. The central issue of the conference was the "shrinking pipeline" phenomenon - the attrition which occurs as women progress toward advanced degrees. Not only do women earn proportionally substantially fewer B.S. degrees in Computer Science than men, but they earn proportionally even fewer master's degrees and still fewer doctoral degrees. This leads to a substantial underrepresentation of women in the field, causing both a shortage of qualified professionals overall and the exclusion of women from participating in designing systems and products.Successful practices are those that address the needs of female graduate students in a holistic manner. Recommended practices target academic, financial and social needs.The listed activities also emphasize the need for faculty to be aware of learning styles, the need to discuss career paths, and the need to connect female graduate students with role models in high-level administrative and faculty positions. |
| Recommendations | Be aware of differences in learning styles and provide a clear description of career paths for women. |
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