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Investigating Impacts of STARS Program Components on Persistence in Computing for Black and White College Students

  • Haley Crews
  • , Tiffany Barnes
  • , Josh Pollock
  • , Susan Fisk
  • , Jamie Payton
  • , Tom McKlin
  • , Audrey Rorrer
  • , Rachel Harred
  • , Veronica Catete

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Persistence is a particularly important topic surrounding computing - 50% of students who begin a computing major do not complete their major [1]. Persistence in computing is an even larger problem for minority students [2]. In this study, we investigate how participation in the STARS program impacts persistence in computing among undergraduate computing students. Using structural equation models based on post-surveys of 1885 students, we found that participation in STARS has a significant impact on increasing persistence among computing students. The relationship between participation in STARS and increasing persistence differs for students by racial-ethnic groups. Overall, STARS significantly impacts persistence by making students more confident in their computing abilities, increasing their career awareness, and providing students with the opportunity to network professionally. Importantly, STARS also influenced persistence indirectly by helping students to be more satisfied with their majors. These findings provide a meaningful basis for future research to investigate how interventions may differentially impact students from different demographic groups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings - 2022 6th International Conference on Research in Equitable and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology, RESPECT 2022
EditorsVeronica Catete, Stacey Sexton, Tiffany Barnes, Kinnis Gosha, Jamie Payton
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages23-30
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781665471145
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes
Event6th International Conference on Research in Equitable and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology, RESPECT 2022 - Hybrid, Philadelphia, United States
Duration: May 23 2022May 24 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings - 2022 6th International Conference on Research in Equitable and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology, RESPECT 2022

Conference

Conference6th International Conference on Research in Equitable and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology, RESPECT 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHybrid, Philadelphia
Period5/23/225/24/22

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Science (miscellaneous)
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Education

Keywords

  • broadening participation in computing
  • computer science education
  • interventions
  • persistence
  • undergraduate

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