Article

Making the Connection:the Impact of Support Systems on Female Transfer Students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
19.1 Spring 2013

Author(s)

LabelJackson, Dimitra L.;

Abstract

The availability of student support systems and mentee-mentor relationships provide effective ways to increase the representation of women in STEM areas (Creamer & Laughlin, 2005). Support systems allow students the oppor-tunity to engage in discussion and activities with individuals, including family, faculty, staff, or administrators with whom they feel comfortable. In this qualitative study, fivefemale community college transfer students in STEM disciplines were interviewed. The female students were asked to de-scribe and make meaning of their support systems and the impact of these support systems on their decision to pursue and persist through their respective STEM discipline. The female students described their support systems on three different levels: family, faculty and advisors.

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