NARRATIVES OF PERSEVERANCE BY LATINA WOMEN PAVING THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART, AND MATH (STEAM) HIGHER EDUCATION

<p>The purpose of this narrative study was to understand the experiences of successful Latina women attaining higher education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) and the challenges they have overcome along the way. Additionally, I sought to examine ways in which these students challenged the stigma of invisibility often attached to Latino communities. Representatives from Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Mexico, the participants of this study were seven women employed in various areas of STEAM with higher education degrees.</p> <p>Cultural Capital and Feminist Cultural Studies provided the theoretical framework for this study. The three-dimensional narrative design was applied to data analysis that resulted in identification of the following meaningful themes: (a) “Latina Women’s Path to Success in STEAM;” (b) “Persevering through Stereotypes and Invisibility;” and (c) “Cultural Traditions and Ancestral Voices.” The participants’ narratives conveyed the path to success that was both unique and common experience of overcoming multiple barriers and persevering toward educational and professional accomplishments. Strong cultural traditions, familial values, and networks of support were among the main influences in the participants’ lives. The role of the <em>bisabuelas</em> (great-grandmothers), <em>abuelas</em> (grandmothers), and <em>madres</em> (mothers) was particularly important in the participants’ path to success.</p> <p>This study encourages educational professionals and policy makers to create better opportunities for Latina students striving to succeed in STEAM through a variety of incentives, programs, policies, and environments conducive to more inclusive and equitable practices.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D. Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - Public Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Curriculum, Advocacy, and Policy

Year dc:date.available

2023

Author dc:creator

• Carmichael, Toni

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Antonia Lukenchuk
• Dr. Todd Price
• Dr. Sara Efrat Efron

• Latina
• Education
• Traditions
• madre
• abuela
• barriers
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Higher Education
• Indigenous Education

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/747

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.nl.edu:diss-1797