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Do We Know Who is Really Doing the Planting? A Case Study of Traditionally White Institutions Identified as Top Degree Producers of Black Engineering Undergraduates

Allen, Alaine (2017) Do We Know Who is Really Doing the Planting? A Case Study of Traditionally White Institutions Identified as Top Degree Producers of Black Engineering Undergraduates. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

At a time when engineering schools in traditionally White institutions (TWIs) create challenging spaces for ethnically underrepresented and other students from marginalized groups, some schools have successfully graduated a high number of Black engineers at the BS level for the past five years. This qualitative study uses a case study research method to explore how two engineering schools are able to engage and support their Black undergraduates; this study also investigates how these engineering schools can build capacity for diversity and inclusion using the Smith (2009) Framework for Institutional Diversity. Through this investigation, the researcher discovered that TWIs that graduate a high number of Black engineers are not always accomplishing this goal intentionally. However, schools that demonstrate intention can change the culture and climate of their environment and create an inclusive and supportive space for students, staff, faculty and administrators. The researcher discovered four key lessons from this study: informed and engaged leadership is imperative; intentionality matters; interest convergence may create an open door, but it does not necessary affect long-term change; and racial battle fatigue can destroy morale and negatively affect an engineering community.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Allen, Alaineallen@pitt.eduallen
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairTananis, Cynthiatananis@pitt.edutananis
Gunzenhauser, Michaelmgunzen@pitt.edumgunzen
Humphrey, Kathykathyh@pitt.edukathyh
Pettigrew, Chenitscpettigrew@medschool.pitt.educhp14
Sutin, Stewartssutin@pitt.edussutin
Date: 25 September 2017
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 22 May 2017
Approval Date: 25 September 2017
Submission Date: 19 August 2017
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 166
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Education > Administrative and Policy Studies
Degree: EdD - Doctor of Education
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: engineering education Black engineering undergraduates diversity engineering minority engineering engineering schools engineering climate
Date Deposited: 25 Sep 2017 17:58
Last Modified: 25 Sep 2017 17:58
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/33125

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