Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

David B. Ross

Committee Member

Roxanne V. Molina

Committee Member

Lynne R. Schrum

Keywords

STEM, Southeast Asian, Pacific Islander, Undergraduate, Higher Education, Retention, Student Success, Mixed Methods

Abstract

This applied dissertation investigates institutional, cultural, and familial factors that contribute to the retention and academic success of Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander American (SEAPIA) students in college level science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines in Washington State. This study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed methods design that involved quantitative-qualitative phases and was guided by five research questions – one quantitative research questions, three qualitative research questions, and one mixed methods research question. Data collection instruments included a survey and interview protocol.

Data collection took place in the spring of 2016 at two separate research sites. Collected quantitative data was cleaned, coded, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA analyses. Collected qualitative data was recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for major and cross-case themes. All collected data was analyzed to find specific institutional, cultural, and familial factors that are the most influential SEAPIA for student persistence and academic performance in STEM disciplines, as well as form a better understanding of how these factors interact to impact the academic pursuits of these students.

Institutional factors found to be most influential for the participants included faculty engagement, acknowledgement, encouragement, and receptiveness to concerns, as well as guidance and advice about their STEM program and career pathways from viii faculty, administration, and staff. Cultural factors found to have the most impact was the acknowledgement and respect for culture within their educational environment, as well as various cultural values mentioned by the participants. Familial factors revealed to be the most influential included encouragement and support from parents and familial, involvement in major academic decisions, and parental pressures. Lastly, institutional, cultural, and familial factors were indicated to have a unique impact in the educational experiences of SEAPIA students and these factors were also noted as vital to the retention and student success of SEAPIA students in college-level STEM education.

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