Program

The Exploration of Identity Intersectionality of Black Female STEM Undergraduates

This study examined the intersectionality of racial, gender, and academic identity of Black female STEM undergraduates attending a historically black college and university (HBCU). Research has demonstrated that the intersection of race and gender are likely to subject Black women to prejudice and ostracism in STEM disciplines. Data revealed that Black women experienced racial and gender intersectionality, but that quantitative findings demonstrated a decrease in Black racial centrality and private regard over time. Qualitative reports suggested otherwise. Further research must be done to understand the differences between the quantitative and qualitative findings. Dr. Kalynda C. Smith is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology at North Carolina A&T State University. Her current teaching load is primarily social psychology and cultural psychology courses. She is also a Co-PI of several STEM education NSF-funded projects focused on the academic achievement of students of color, especially as it pertains to pursuing research and graduate training. These interdisciplinary projects include faculty from education, engineering, mathematics, political science, social work and sociology and are cross-institutional. Her duties include quantitative and qualitative data collection, analyses, interpretation, and publication. Dr. Smith is primarily interested in how identity impacts the achievement outcomes of students of color, including, but not limited to racial identity, gender identity and academic identity.