Accounts and recommendations for recruitment of under-represented groups in the geoscience STEM discipline

Abstract

The authors seek to amplify their voices as scholars of color in the presentation of a case study of recent geoscience higher education data in the University System of Maryland. We explore trends in geoscience graduate rates and describe the context with national, state, and local data. This paper also includes position statements and lived experiences from faculty of color who recruit in the geosciences. Three women of color share collective intersectional experiences as STEM majors in undergraduate and graduate programs, public and private institutions, HBCUs and PWIs. The aim is to offer recommendations to enhance the literature on diversity and recruitment in geoscience and advance opportunities for students seeking degrees in the geosciences.

Keywords:

• STEM education
• diversity
• recruitment
• retention
• geoscience

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under award number 2023158.