Engineering While Black: Exploring the Experiences of Black University of Florida Undergraduate Engineering Students Using Photovoice

Dennis R. Parnell; Jabari Wilson; Karen Theodora Hicklin; Jeremy A. Magruder Waisome

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Conference: 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Baltimore , Maryland
Publication Date: June 25, 2023
Start Date: June 25, 2023
End Date: June 28, 2023
Conference Session: Promoting Social Sustainability, Cultural Assets, and Assessing Equity and Diversity Index
Tagged Division: Minorities in Engineering Division(MIND)
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 21
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--43351
Permanent URL: https://strategy.asee.org/43351
Download Count: 226

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Paper Authors

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Dennis R. Parnell Jr. University of Florida orcid.org/0000-0002-5659-9601

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Dennis Parnell Jr. is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Engineering Education at the University of Florida. His research focuses on understanding and improving underrepresented student retention and persistence in engineering. For his doctoral research, Dennis is leveraging emerging learning technologies to broaden participation in engineering by exposing students to semiconductor fabrication processes. Much of his work involves designing and assessing interventions for extra- and co-curricular activities for students throughout the educational ecosystem. He is also a member of the ASEE CDEI Spotlight Team. Dennis holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from The University of Alabama and a M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida.

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Dr. Jeremy A. Magruder Waisome is an Assistant Professor in the Engineering Education Department at the University of Florida (UF). Her research focuses on self-efficacy and critical mentoring. She is passionate about broadening participation in engineering, leveraging evidence-based approaches to improve the engineering education environment.

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Abstract

Black engineering students attending a predominantly white institution (PWI) must often navigate unwelcoming and hostile environments on their journey to degree attainment. Despite encountering such adverse circumstances, these students persist to graduation, albeit at lower rates than their white counterparts. Addressing this discrepancy is a critical factor in improving diversity in the workforce. This work aims to explore Black engineering student experiences using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) strategy called photovoice, which is commonly practiced in public health. Photovoice is a qualitative research approach that involves the collection and analysis of data through the lens of each participant. To date, few scholars have applied this narrative approach to understanding Black student experiences in the context of engineering education and practice. This study explored how the current racial climate in the United States impacts the experience of Black undergraduate engineering students. The outcome of the photovoice experience was twofold: 1) To capture each participant's lived experience, leveraging each photo as a visual demonstration, to bring their words to life; 2) To connect an accompanying narrative describing each lived experience, thus, expressing the world as they see and experience it. Through photography, reflection, and critical dialogue, five undergraduate students at a large southeastern PWI shared their stories and agreed on actionable measures to improve Black engineering student experiences at their university. During semi-structured interviews, participants described the images they captured related to the research prompts. Using an inductive approach, we conducted a reflexive thematic analysis, and six themes emerged related to the students' experiences: (1) finding comfort, (2) building community, (3) fitting in, (4) experiencing frustration, (5) overcoming imposter syndrome, and (6) valuing mentorship. Participants collectively discussed their images and related experiences in a final group session. Steps to address emergent themes were also identified and presented to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, along with a plan to showcase their work.

Citation
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Parnell, D. R., & Wilson, J., & Hicklin, K. T., & Waisome, J. A. M. (2023, June), Engineering While Black: Exploring the Experiences of Black University of Florida Undergraduate Engineering Students Using Photovoice Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--43351

TY - CPAPER
AB - Black engineering students attending a predominantly white institution (PWI) must often navigate unwelcoming and hostile environments on their journey to degree attainment. Despite
encountering such adverse circumstances, these students persist to graduation, albeit at lower rates than their white counterparts. Addressing this discrepancy is a critical factor in improving diversity in the workforce. This work aims to explore Black engineering student experiences using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) strategy called photovoice, which is commonly practiced in public health. Photovoice is a qualitative research approach that involves the collection and analysis of data through the lens of each participant. To date, few scholars have applied this narrative approach to understanding Black student experiences in the context of engineering education and practice.
This study explored how the current racial climate in the United States impacts the experience of Black undergraduate engineering students. The outcome of the photovoice experience was twofold: 1) To capture each participant&#39;s lived experience, leveraging each photo as a visual
demonstration, to bring their words to life; 2) To connect an accompanying narrative describing
each lived experience, thus, expressing the world as they see and experience it. Through
photography, reflection, and critical dialogue, five undergraduate students at a large southeastern PWI shared their stories and agreed on actionable measures to improve Black engineering student experiences at their university. During semi-structured interviews, participants described the images they captured related to the research prompts. Using an inductive approach, we conducted a reflexive thematic analysis, and six themes emerged related to the students&#39; experiences: (1) finding comfort, (2) building community, (3) fitting in, (4) experiencing frustration, (5) overcoming imposter syndrome, and (6) valuing mentorship. Participants collectively discussed their images and related experiences in a final group session. Steps to address emergent themes were also identified and presented to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, along with a plan to showcase their work.
AU - Dennis R. Parnell Jr.
AU - Jabari Wilson
AU - Karen Theodora Hicklin
AU - Jeremy A. Magruder Waisome
CY - Baltimore , Maryland
DA - 2023/06/25
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Engineering While Black: Exploring the Experiences of Black University of Florida Undergraduate Engineering Students Using Photovoice
UR - https://strategy.asee.org/43351
DO - 10.18260/1-2--43351
ER -