University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A Bermuda triangle in STEM: An examination of broadening participation, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the US National Science Foundation’s REU program

Mitchell, Marlon E

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124399

Description

Title
A Bermuda triangle in STEM: An examination of broadening participation, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the US National Science Foundation’s REU program
Author(s)
Mitchell, Marlon E
Issue Date
2024-04-26
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Boyce, Ayesha
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Harris, Violet
Committee Member(s)
  • Willis, Arlette
  • Avent, Cherie
  • Reck, Rebecca
Department of Study
Curriculum and Instruction
Discipline
Curriculum and Instruction
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Broadening Participation
  • STEM
  • National Science Foundation
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
  • REU
Abstract
Like many educational policies in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the US NSF’s Broadening Participation Initiative (BP) has the inherent issue of policy implementation. Typically, the success of such policy relies heavily on the persons involved in policy execution and the procedures/practices used to achieve the initiative’s goal(s). People, policy, and procedures/practices are interconnected like points on an equilateral triangle that serve evenly balanced functions. In theory, when each piece works simultaneously in harmony, successful policy implementation with collective impact ensues. However, a breakdown or disconnect between any of the three vertices gives rise to policy implementation failure. Through inquiry, this study investigates the challenges faced when defining the separate constructs of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how BP is implemented in US NSF REU programs. Probed in this study are Principal Investigators who are extremely instrumental in accomplishing the US NSF’s goal of increasing minority participation in STEM education and the workforce.
Graduation Semester
2024-05
Type of Resource
Thesis
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2024 Marlon Mitchell

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