ABOUT WCER NEWS Events Cover Stories Research News International Research Press WHAT'S THE RESEARCH ON...? PROJECTS All Active Projects All Completed Projects PUBLICATIONS LECTURE SERIES PEOPLE Staff Directory Project Leaders ERG - EVALUATION RESOURCES GROUP RESOURCES Conference Rooms Equipment GRANT SERVICES GRADUATE TRAINING SERVICE UNITS Director's Office Business Office Technical Services Printing & Mail EMPLOYMENT CONTACT INFO MyWCER WORKSPACE LOGIN

STEM Fields of Study at Community Colleges

May 17, 2011

The demand for graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields continues to grow rapidly. Community colleges represent a unique opportunity to prepare a STEM workforce that reflects the diversity of the U.S. population. It’s important to provide rigorous academic programs and support mechanisms that prepare students to enter these fields in two-year and four-year institutions. Assistant professor Xueli Wang examines factors that shape students’ decision to pursue STEM fields of study. She is studying students entering community colleges and four-year institutions, paying special attention to the effects of gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and first-generation status. This study has implications for improving K-12 and postsecondary practices and activities that promote participation in STEM, particularly those that target underrepresented student populations.