Contribution to Book
Chapter 14: Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander Students in STEM: Examining Student-Faculty Interactions
Higher Education Challenges for Migrant and Refugee Students in a Global World
(2018)
Abstract
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations are rapidly growing in the United States and AAPI student perspectives of education are shaped by their immigration history and experience, English Language proficiency, and socioeconomic statuses. The AAPI population consists of ethnicities with a wide range of culture, history within the United States, and educational needs. Such as, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander students are not achieving the same level of academic success as their other Asian American peers. Due to collected aggregated demographic data on AAPIs, coupled with model minority stereotyping, many distinct barriers to SEAPIA students’ academic achievement are masked or ignored.
This chapter provides an exploration of student-faculty relationships and interactions for Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander American students in a supportive STEM undergraduate environment. It is guided by integration and involvement theories of Astin and Tinto to understand college student success during their first years as an undergraduate student and how much time they devote to their education experience. In addition, Museus’ model of the Culturally Engaging Campus Environment is observed to build and sustain college campus life to engage students of cultural and diverse backgrounds by giving them a sense of belonging.
Quality teaching and learning in a STEM undergraduate program is important in supporting students to learn more about the curriculum, but also help them solve problems and make decisions as they pursue professional career opportunities. Other areas identified for successful interaction and preparation are reinforced by course-related curricula, guidance, and interaction from mentors and caring faculty whodirectly influence SEAPIA student retention. Suggestions for future research include collectingdisaggregated data to determine themes and patterns of undergraduate STEM students, including immigration, generational, and international statuses.
Keywords
- Asian American and Pacific Islander,
- Nontraditional student,
- Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander American (SEAPIA)
Disciplines
Publication Date
Winter 2018
Editor
K. Arar, K. Haj-Yehia, D. B. Ross, & Y. Kondakci
Publisher
Peter Lang
Series
Equity in Higher Education Theory, Policy, and Praxis
ISBN
978-1-4331-6051-6
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3726/b14486
Citation Information
Maricris R. Eleno-Orama and David B. Ross. "Chapter 14: Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander Students in STEM: Examining Student-Faculty Interactions" New YorkHigher Education Challenges for Migrant and Refugee Students in a Global World Vol. 11 (2018) p. 265 - 281 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david-ross/105/