From the inside looking out: Latinas intersectionality and their engineering departments

Abstract

STEM disciplines remain highly White and male-dominated, particularly in regards to engineering. The climate, as a result, for women of color in engineering remains to be ‘bitter’ cold due to their intersectionality. A case study was employed to understand how 11 Latinas experience their intersectionality within a STEM context in their pursuit of an undergraduate engineering degree. Findings suggest that engineering departments must increase the representation and visibility of Latinas, must seek ways to increase meaningful faculty and student interaction, and must re-examine how grading policies heighten the competitive nature within their respective departments.

Keywords:

• Engineering
• Latinas
• climate
• intersectionality

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rosa M. Banda

Rosa M. Banda, PhD is Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.