Abstract
Women in the United States continue to be underrepresented in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). While both girls and boys take math and science courses in roughly equal number in elementary through high school (Hill, Corbett, & St. Rose, 2010), fewer women than men pursue STEM majors in college and even less work in the STEM field. In this session, we will use research by the American Association of University Women (AAUA) and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) to explore challenges that women face when studying STEM majors and discuss strategies for academic advisors to help retain women in these fields. We will share our own survey results from women in STEM majors at UC Merced. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their own best practices and explore how they can better support women in their own institutions.
Speaker Biography
Amy Lou
Amy is an undergraduate academic advisor for the School of Natural Sciences at UC Merced. She received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Education from UCLA and recently received her M.Ed. from the University of Southern California. She is passionate about working with students to achieve their academic and personal goals and she enjoys running!
Maria Serrano-Velazquez
Maria has been an undergraduate academic advisor at UC Merced for over 5 years. Before that, she worked as a high school social studies teacher. She is dedicated to helping students succeed in college and life. Maria earned her BA in history and minor in education from UC Berkeley in 2003 and her M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2004. She also obtained a Pupil Services Credential in School Counselling from CSU Stanislaus in 2010. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her 3 year old daughter, reading, and running!
Kelly Van Zandt
Kelly is an undergraduate academic advisor in the School of Natural Sciences at UC Merced. She received her B.A. in Social Science, Public & Community Service from UC Irvine and her M.S. in Counseling, College and Career from San Francisco State University. Kelly has worked at UC Merced since the campus opened in 2005 and has prior experience in the field of career counseling. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and traveling.
Presentation Handouts
