Black women are often underrepresented in the fields of engineering and computer science despite reports that a higher percentage of Black women (9.7%) are enrolled in college than any other group, topping Asian women (8.7%), White women (7.1%) and White men (6.1%) [1]. This paper shares findings regarding the identity and experiences of Black women in engineering and computer science doctoral programs. Grounded on the tenet and belief that you cannot serve a community or impact a community until you genuinely understand the community, this qualitative investigation of the experiences of black women in pursuit of doctorates in engineering and computing will explore how Black female doctoral students succeed in their engineering and computer science programs. Interview results from 13 black doctoral women in these fields are reported and analyzed using a content analysis. This paper concludes with a report on the awareness of the key challenges Black female doctoral students in engineering and computer science programs face on a daily basis.
Dr. Sharnnia Artis is the Assistant Dean of Access and Inclusion for the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. She is responsible for programs at the pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate levels to facilitate the recruitment, retention, and overall success of students from traditionally underrepresented groups in engineering and information and computer sciences. Dr. Artis has 18 years of experience working with education and outreach programs in engineering and over 35 publications in STEM education and outreach. Prior to joining UC Irvine, she was the Education and Outreach Director for the Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Previously, Dr. Artis spent nine years at Virginia Tech providing program and student support for the Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity and has four years of industry and government experience as a Human Factors Engineer. Dr. Artis holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech.
Dr. Marjorie Shavers is an assistant professor and the Director of Graduate Studies in Counseling at Heidelberg University. She has a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Ohio State University and is currently licensed as a professional school and professional clinical counselor with supervision designation. Dr. Shavers’s research agenda focuses on exploring how educational systems and professionals impact the experiences and overall mental health of students, particularly Black women. Dr. Shavers’s most recent work focuses particularly on the experiences of Black women pursuing doctorates and post–doctorates in computer science and engineering. In addition to her research, her teaching and clinical practice is aimed at enhancing mental health amongst Black women. Dr. Shavers was recognized as the 2015 Counselor Educator of the Year from the Ohio Association of Counselor Education and Supervision and received the Distinguished Research and Scholarship Award at Heidelberg University.
Dr. LeSure is the founder and CEO of Engineers for Equity (E4E). E4E is a socially conscious organization committed to applying evidenced-based professional development strategies to inspire current and future STEM professionals to become more self-aware, empathetic and emotionally intelligent.
Stacie earned a Ph.D. in Engineering Education at Utah State University where her doctoral research applied Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality frameworks to critically examine effective intervention strategies to reduce the negative consequences of Stereotype Threat (STT). She also has a Master of Science in Materials Science (MS) and Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physics from Spelman College. She obtained the status of ABD (All But Defense) in Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University. Stacie’s current research interests includes inclusive pedagogical practices, as well as, the integration of Human-Centered Design and Service Learning opportunities to recruit and retain students in engineering degree programs.
Dr. LeSure is passionate about initiatives that strive for equity and inclusion in the engineering workforce. She is also dedicated to enhancing strategies to improve college readiness for students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in engineering and equip these students with the tools they need to excel in the profession.
Breauna Spencer is a graduate student pursuing a doctoral degree in Sociology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She received her B.A. degrees in Education Sciences and Sociology (with Honors) as well as M.A. degree in Demographic and Social Analysis and M.A. in Sociology from UCI. Ms. Spencer’s research areas include examining the underrepresentation of minorities in STEM education.
Aishwarya Joshi has a Bachelor of Arts degree with major in Journalism, Psychology and English Literature. She obtained her Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Psychology. She is currently a Master of Arts candidate for the Clinical Counseling program at Heidelberg University. Her research interests includes impostor syndrome, trauma informed care in ethnic minorities and the LGBT communities as well as the under-representation of women of ethnic minorities in STEM fields.
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