A Qualitative Study on the Factors and Mechanisms Impacting STEM+C Undergraduates’ Enrollment and Persistence

Abstract: Over the last few decades, the graduation rates for post-secondary education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computing (STEM+C) have stayed consistently low despite efforts to increase participation in STEM+C disciplines. Prior teaching and educational research have primarily focused on one specific degree pathway within STEM+C, such as computer science. However, understanding the common factors and mechanisms that influence STEM+C students to persist in their different degree programs has been left largely unexplored. In this study, the research team investigates the factors that influence the enrollment and persistence of undergraduate STEM+C majors at a large, public Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in Texas. As part of a larger mixed-methods investigation, data were collected from a total of 168 undergraduate STEM+C majors using the ACCEYSS STEM+C survey instrument to evaluate factors impacting their enrollment and persistence in their degree programs. Qualitative analysis was performed on the survey responses from 65 science majors, 45 computing majors, 36 engineering majors, and two mathematics majors. Participants were asked about their career aspirations, the types of learning experiences they participated in prior to college, and the factors that influenced them to pursue their major. Also, participants were asked to describe what students needed to be successful in their chosen field and what advice they believe would help incoming students persist to graduation. The findings of this study revealed that students across all majors: (a) indicated their decisions to pursue STEM+C majors were mainly influenced by personal aspirations and motivation, followed by self-confidence, self-efficacy, and perceived intelligence; (b) offered advice for incoming STEM+C majors focused on building resilience, effectively utilizing resources, developing strong learning strategies, and maintaining motivation throughout their academic journey; and (c) identified key factors for success in STEM+C degree programs such as establishing efficient time management skills, cultivating good study habits, and engaging in self-directed learning with an emphasis on continuous skill development and problem-solving approaches. The results of this study provide key insights and recommendations to help guide post-secondary educators’ and policymakers’ decision-making to cultivate a university environment that actively supports more students to persist in STEM+C degree programs and reach graduation.

Keywords: STEM+C Enrollment, Persistence, Undergraduate Education, Hispanic-Serving Institution, Qualitative Study

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006958

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