Attracting A Diverse Student Body Into The Geosciences Is Critical To The Future Of Geoscience Departments Suzanne O’Connell Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT Mary Anne Holmes Department of Geosciences University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588

Geo Bachelor Degrees

From czujko, 2007 Representation of Minorities among Bachelors Degrees, 2004 BlackHispanic Total % % Number Computer Science ,488 Psychology ,098 Business ,149 Biological Sciences ,509 Chemistry ,300 Engineering ,949 Education ,278 Mathematics ,327 Physics ,140 Geosciences ,903 All Majors ,399,542 Source: Digest of Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education

Number of Degree Recipients by Race and Field in 2004 Black All Majors131,241 Engineering 4,959 Chemistry 756 Physics 166 Geosciences 65 Hispanic Americans All Majors 94,644 Engineering 4,514 Chemistry 651 Physics 187 Geosciences 131 Source: U.S. Department of Education

Geoscience Bachelors Degrees Data Tabulated by NSF Division of Science Resources

US Census Data Projections, Base year is These students are in 7th-9th grade NOW.

We need to determine the framework that will attract minorities into the geosciences. Environmental Justice Economic development Job opportunities Research opportunities Life style (fun & interesting)

Why did you become a geoscience major? Holmes and O’Connell, 2004

Association for Black Geoscientists (Informal Survey) I liked the professors. There's a lot of one on one time. People were supportive. One influential professor who really got me on the road. I really enjoyed that class (Introductory Geology) with a certain professor who really actually turned me on to the major in general. I had a really good department—it was small but intimate, so everyone got along really well and was enthusiastic about geology. O’Connell et al., in press

Xavier, Dillard, Howard, Lincoln, Tennessee State NSF Data,

Black Bachelors in Geoscience Universities that awarded the largest number of bachelors in the last 5 years 42Hampton University (VA) 15Spelman College (GA) 14United States Naval Academy (MD) 13Savannah State University 11Elizabeth State University 11Jackson State University 7University of Oklahoma, Norman 7CUNY City College (NY) 7Cleveland State University 38% of the 336 Total Number of Black Geoscience Bachelors from degree granting departments during last 5 years Source: AIP Statistical Research Center compiled from data collected by NCES From czujko, 2007

Hispanic American Bachelors in Geosciences Universities that awarded the largest number of bachelors in the last 5 years Hispanic American 5 Year Totals 58University of PR - Mayaguez 29United States Naval Academy 19Texas A&M University 16University of Texas – El Paso 14Stanford University 14University of Texas - Austin 12University of New Mexico 10University of Washington 9University of California – Santa Barbara 9University of Arizona 31% of 618 Hispanic American Geoscience Bachelors from degree granting departments during last 5 years Source: AIP Statistical Research Center compiled from data collected by NCES

From czujko, 2007 Hispanic American Bachelors in Geosciences Universities that awarded the largest number of bachelors in the last 5 years Hispanic American 5 Year Totals 58University of PR - Mayaguez 29United States Naval Academy 19Texas A&M University 16University of Texas – El Paso 14Stanford University 14University of Texas - Austin 12University of New Mexico 10University of Washington 9University of California – Santa Barbara 9University of Arizona 31% of 618 Hispanic American Geoscience Bachelors from degree granting departments during last 5 years Source: AIP Statistical Research Center compiled from data collected by NCES

Both minority & white geoscience majors are attracted as undergraduates to the geoscience culture Minority students at HBCU’s have fewer opportunities to major in geoscience

Why did you become a geoscience major? Holmes and O’Connell, 2004

Study of urban high school & college students Whitney et al., 2005 (EAOS) Caucasians had greater: Greater involvement in outdoor activities Perceived knowledge of the geosciences Family support to pursue geosciences

Less than 10% of visitors to National Parks in California & Florida are Black, Hispanic or Asian. O’Connell et al., in press Image from:

Why did you become a geoscience major? Holmes and O’Connell, 2004

From Brown, 2002 Characteristics of Hispanic Students who Majored in Science

Possible steps that might help to identify the frameworks that will attract minorities into the geosciences Interact with minority communities, schools & churches  Soil & food, food security  Air & pollutants  Energy consumption  Transportation issue Work with local community colleges Restructure parts of our websites/ public relations  Geosciences are an excellent pathway to medical, legal & other professional careers  Relevance Teach new courses  Team-teach with departments that have a lot of minority majors  Find out what aspects of the geosciences would interest minority students  Extend ourselves to minority students in our classes

EAOS PhDs to Underrepresented Minorities We need to identify the frameworks to increase minority representation. When the numbers are this low every person counts. Data Tabulated by NSF Division of Science Resources

From czujko, 2007