Empowering Underrepresented Students in Science

Empowering Underrepresented Students in Science: STEM Students Speak chronicles the best practices of a STEM retention program for underrepresented minority students (URM) at a public university. Written mostly as an engaging series of vignettes, this story invites its audience to examine the 'underbelly of this successful program. It reveals to readers what lies at the heart of creating and sustaining a STEM retention program that is as inviting as it is vital. The program's practice of reflection helps to build students' self-efficacy and self-understanding. This book addresses the problem of merely throwing resources at a program to have it only achieve mild success. Most STEM retention/support programs offer a litany of 'things they think are necessary for students, especially traditionally underserved students, to survive in STEM. We contend that our program goes beyond merely throwing money at a need, to critically assessing the need through the lens of inclusive practices. Our program attempts to engage with the whole selves of the students we serve. - Proposes a focused, strategic approach to offering support to underrepresented minority (URM) students - Shares easily reproducible ways to build a STEM support program to replicate the success at UMASS AP - Features an engaging, readable style with real-world applications

Sonji Johnson-Anderson is the Director at the UMass Amherst STEM Ambassadors Program. Sonji's research interests sit at the intersection of Black Feminist Epistemology, Critical Race Theory and Performance Ethnography. Her work focuses on the experiences of students and families who are marginalized in public domains, primarily educational institutions. A gifted educator and public speaker, Sonji brings decades of teaching experience and a deep commitment to critical and culturally relevant pedagogy. Sonji has taught in K-12 classrooms, as well as higher education contexts in Western Massachusetts, New York City and Jamaica, and currently lectures in world literature at Westfield State University. Dr. Johnson-Anderson develops and teaches/facilitates courses, workshops, lectures, trainings, public events, and performances.