A Cultural Wealth Approach to Understanding Latin@s’ STEM Mentee and Mentor Experiences

ABSTRACT

In the United States, Latin@s remain underrepresented in the STEM workforce despite being a growing population in postsecondary institutions and across the country. Mentorship is needed to foster agency and leadership to build more Latin@ representation in STEM. In this study, we used a focus group and interviews to examine the mentee and mentor experiences of five Latin@ college students enrolled in a Hispanic-serving institution and participating in a STEM mentoring program for youth. We applied a community cultural wealth framework to describe participants’ mentoring experiences and the practices that help Latin@s navigate the pre-K-20+ STEM pipeline. Mentoring Latin@s in STEM necessitates a culturally affirming approach that acknowledges community wealth and the ways students overcome institutional barriers.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessica Morales-Chicas

Jessica Morales-Chicas is an associate professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She has been an educator for over 13 years and has worked with students from preschool age through the university level. Her research uses a developmental lens to examine the role of ethnic diversity and curricular opportunities on youth motivation, especially in STEM.

Mariana Gomez

Mariana Gomez received her master’s degree in child development from California State University, Los Angeles. She currently works as the research coordinator at a Hispanic-serving institution in Southern California, and the primary focus of this research center is to examine the educational experiences of students across the pipeline. Her research interests focus on the impacts that Latino parents’ characteristics have on their children’s early childhood experiences and overall development.

Melissa Gussman

Melissa Gussman received her master’s degree in child development from California State University, Los Angeles. She is a researcher for Age of Learning, a company committed to developing digital educational programs that support students’ academic success and foster a love of learning. Her research interests center on how early experiences, within the school and family contexts, impact students’ achievement and well-being across the educational pipeline.

Claudia Kouyoumdjian

Claudia Kouyoumdjian is a professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. Her research interests focus on the educational experiences of Latino adolescents and emerging adults. She is currently working on a student support services project, CHDV Connect, with her department colleagues that promotes a sense of belonging and connections among faculty, students, staff, and the campus community.