TESTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS ON UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY SCIENTISTS IN THE GEOSCIENCES

The geosciences, and STEM fields more broadly, have a difficult time recruiting and retaining underrepresented minority (URM) scientists. One approach to address this issue has been the implementation of enrichment programs that specifically target URM trainees. These programs often aim to build technical skills, foster a scientific identity, and cultivate a sense of community amongst members. The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of enrichment programs to determine if they substantially promote inclusion in geoscience learning environments and the effect this has on retention. Specifically, this work will analyze how the enrichment programs for the Center for Diverse Leadership in Science (CDLS) affect fellows and participants using a mixed-methods approach. New and returning CDLS fellows will be given pretest and posttest questionnaires that will measure how their interest in science, involvement in the STEM community, scientific participation, and scientific identity is affected by participation in CDLS. An increase in the aforementioned key measures suggests a higher likelihood of retention in a STEM field. Additionally, data generated from semi-structured interviews with CDLS fellows will detail their experiences and how their involvement in the program influenced their perspectives on the geosciences and, more broadly, in STEM. Examining how enrichment programs affect URM scientists will allow us to develop a more nuanced understanding of effective practices these programs employ that could be more broadly implemented in STEM, and also provide feedback that may improve the recruitment and retention of URM scientists.