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Article
How Faculty’s Academic Support Influence First-Year Female Students in Aviation: A Qualitative Case Study
International Journal of Aviation Research
  • Eugene Kim, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Jorge L Albelo, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Submitting Campus
Daytona Beach
Department
Aeronautical Science
Document Type
Article
Publication/Presentation Date
10-25-2021
Disciplines
Abstract/Description

An increasing number of female students are enrolling in aviation education institutions to pursue their dreams. To combat the issue of the underrepresentation of females, this case study explored the significance of faculty’s academic support to first-year females in aviation. There is scant research surrounding the topic of faculty in higher education and their perspectives on academic support. This case study aimed to bridge the existing literature gap related to faculty’s academic support and teaching styles to first-year female students. This qualitative case study’s objective was to increase awareness of the importance of faculty’s academic support and better understand how academic support can be improved among other higher education institutions. The qualitative research design brought in seven faculty members employed at a higher education institution in the southeastern United States. The participants in this study taught aviation-related courses, and their participation took place remotely via Zoom in the format of semi-structured interviews. After obtaining institutional review board (IRB) approval, the qualitative data collected from in-depth semi-structured interviews helped identify prominent aspects and patterns that higher education faculties in aviation recognize as significant for academic support. This study’s findings have theoretical and empirical implications that can better serve underrepresented students in aviation and provide meaningful guidance to current faculty on how academic support can be better provided. In conclusion, this study’s practical findings could bring awareness to females’ underrepresentation, a subject that is not currently widely studied or discussed in educational aviation institutions.

Publisher
Professional Aviation Board of Certification
Grant or Award Name
Research funded by the ERAU Office of Undergraduate Research
Citation Information
Kim, E, & Albelo, J. L. D. (2021). How faculty’s academic support influence first-year females in aviation: A qualitative case study. International Journal of Aviation Research, 13(1), 90-104. https://ojs.library.okstate.edu/osu/index.php/IJAR/article/view/8397/7653