Underrepresented Racial Minority Research Articles

Demographic Diversity and Economic Research: Fields of Specialization and Research on Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality

Using dissertation research topics found in the EconLit database and large-scale algorithmic methods that identify author demographics based on names, we explore the link between race and ethnicity and fields of economic research. We find that underrepresented racial and ethnic minority (URM) researchers are more likely to write dissertations in some unexpected subfields of economics but limited evidence that they are more likely to write dissertations on racial topics once we include basic controls. These descriptive results may be due to limitations in the data, intrinsic motivations, or external constraints.

Time to Degree, Identity, and Grant Writing: Lessons Learned From a Mixed-Methods Longitudinal Case Study of Biosciences PhD Students

Time to degree completion is an important metric of academic progress and success for doctoral students. It is also a common way for educational stakeholders to compare programs even if the content of the degree programs varies. But what types of behaviors and experiences are associated with faster times to degree? In this study, we examine the relationship between receiving competitive research awards (e.g., grant writing) and time to degree for PhD students. We organize our analyses by student identities, specifically gender and underrepresented racial minority (URM) status, to examine differences in time to degree based on student demographics. Our dataset included students that graduated between academic years 2008 to 2009 through 2018 to 2019. We also interviewed students currently enrolled in these same programs. We find that underrepresented minority women who won competitive research awards graduate faster than all other students who also won awards but also report lower levels of advisor support. Underrepresented minority women and all underrepresented minority students who won research awards tended to graduate faster compared to other groups of students who did not win awards. Students who reported feeling supported by their advisors, most of which reflected hands-on guidance through the writing process, in the interviews were more likely to apply for grants. Combined, these results highlight that writing grants and specific types of advisor support may influence faster times to degree for biosciences PhD students. This study suggests similar introspective analyses at other institutions and databases are needed.

Abdominal Transplant Surgeons: The Lack of Female Surgeons and People From Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in Academic and Clinical Leadership.

The demographic disparities among surgeons in academic leadership positions is well documented. We aimed to characterize the present demographic details of abdominal transplant surgeons who have achieved academic and clinical leadership positions. We reviewed the 2022-2023 American Society of Transplant Surgeons membership registry to identify 1007 active abdominal transplant surgeons. Demographic details (academic and clinical titles) were collected and analyzed using the chi-square test, the Fisher exact test, and t tests. Multinomial logistic regressions were conducted. Female surgeons (P < .001) and surgeons from racial-ethnic minorities (P = .027) were more likely to be assistants or associates rather than full professors. White male surgeons were more likely to be full professors than were White female (P < .001), Asian female (P = .008), and Asian male surgeons (P = .005). There were no Black female surgeons who were full professors. The frequency of full professorship increased with surgeon age (P < .001). Male surgeons were more likely to hold no academic titles (P < .001). Female surgeons were less likely to be chief of transplant(P = .025), chief of livertransplant (P = .001), chief of pancreas transplant (P = .037), or chair of surgery (P = .087, significance at 10%). Chief of kidney transplant was the most common clinical position held by a surgeon from a racial or ethnic minority group. Female surgeons were more likely to hold no clinical titles (P = .001). The underrepresentation of women and people from racial and ethnic minority groups in academic and clinical leadership positions in the field of abdominal transplant surgery remains evident. White male physicians are more likely to obtain full professorship, and they comprise most of the clinical leadership positions overall. A continued push for representative leadership is needed.

Abstract P387: Research Participation Rates and Characteristics in Underrepresented Groups in a West Virginia-Based Pregnancy Cohort Study

Introduction: Individuals living in rural areas, identifying as underrepresented racial minorities, and with low socioeconomic status tend to be poorly represented in research. Each underrepresented group experiences unique barriers that may prevent them from participating in research. Objectives and Hypothesis: This study aimed to test the hypotheses that 1) in a West Virginia-based pregnancy cohort study, individuals identifying as rural, an underrepresented racial minority, or receiving Medicaid/Medicare (as a surrogate for socioeconomic status) would have lower participation rates than typically better represented populations; and 2) that people from each underrepresented group would have different characteristics associated with screening for and consenting to participate in the pregnancy cohort study. Methods: Potentially eligible participants were sent recruitment messages via MyChart, a patient facing app linked to their electronic medical record. Upon receiving the message, participants could express their interest to participate in the study by filling out an eligibility screening form and, eventually, consent to participate at a study visit. Screening and consenting rates were calculated, stratified by rurality (i.e., urban, micropolitan rural, small town rural), race (i.e., white, underrepresented racial minority), and insurance status (i.e., Medicaid/Medicare, private). Logistic regression was used to test which characteristics were associated with screening for and participating in the study in each group. Results: Between October 2022 - April 2023, 1024 potential participants were sent recruitment messages. Screening rates (7.3% urban, 7.6% micropolitan rural, 8.8% small town rural; 7.3% White, 10.1% underrepresented racial minorities; 7.9% private insurance, 7.1% Medicaid/Medicare) and consenting rates (2.5% urban, 2.1% micropolitan rural, 4.6% small town rural; 2.8% White, 1.4% underrepresented racial minorities; 3.6% private insurance, 1.9% Medicaid/Medicare) were similar between different underrepresented groups and their better represented counterparts. For small town rural participants, preterm births (OR 6.85 [2.04 - 33.7]) and number of children (OR .24 [.05 - .71]) were associated with participating in the study. Those who identified as an underrepresented racial minority were more likely to screen for the study if they had private health insurance (OR 16.81 [1.53 - 500]). People with Medicaid/Medicare were more likely to participate in the study if they lived in a small town rural area (OR 7.71 [1.57 - 58.97]). Conclusion: Differences in characteristics associated with research participation suggest that researchers may need to tailor recruitment strategies to better consider characteristics of different underserved groups.

Genomic data in the All of Us Research Program

Comprehensively mapping the genetic basis of human disease across diverse individuals is a long-standing goal for the field of human genetics1–4. The All of Us Research Program is a longitudinal cohort study aiming to enrol a diverse group of at least one million individuals across the USA to accelerate biomedical research and improve human health5,6. Here we describe the programme’s genomics data release of 245,388 clinical-grade genome sequences. This resource is unique in its diversity as 77% of participants are from communities that are historically under-represented in biomedical research and 46% are individuals from under-represented racial and ethnic minorities. All of Us identified more than 1 billion genetic variants, including more than 275 million previously unreported genetic variants, more than 3.9 million of which had coding consequences. Leveraging linkage between genomic data and the longitudinal electronic health record, we evaluated 3,724 genetic variants associated with 117 diseases and found high replication rates across both participants of European ancestry and participants of African ancestry. Summary-level data are publicly available, and individual-level data can be accessed by researchers through the All of Us Researcher Workbench using a unique data passport model with a median time from initial researcher registration to data access of 29 hours. We anticipate that this diverse dataset will advance the promise of genomic medicine for all.

Review of the Disparities in Access to Pediatric Eye Care Among Low Socioeconomic Status and Underrepresented Racial Minority Groups Exacerbated by the Economic Downturn in Pediatric Ophthalmology.

To explore the association between race and socioeconomic status on health disparities in pediatric eye care, characterize the status of diversity within the pediatric ophthalmology workforce, and propose potential solutions to improve access to vision care, particularly for children from vulnerable populations. The major studies examining the socioeconomic and racial disparities in visual outcomes and the impact of diversity in the ophthalmology workforce were reviewed. Currently, the pediatric ophthalmology workforce has limited racial diversity, and increasing the number of underrepresented in medicine providers has potential to improve access to pediatric eye care, particularly for underserved populations. Mobile eye clinics, school-based vision programs, and health literacy initiatives may engage communities to bring eye care directly to children and enhance follow-up. Families with lower socioeconomic status may represent a vulnerable population facing significant access to pediatric eye care barriers, particularly for asymptomatic pediatric eye conditions. Emphasis on strategies that directly engage communities and bring free vision care to families should be given to improve disparities in visual health outcomes. Ophthalmologists and pediatric ophthalmologists should be aware of the current racial underrepresentation within the pediatric ophthalmology workforce, and the importance of workforce diversity in accelerating physician-patient concordance and access to eye care. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(3):172-178.].

Realmind: A Prospective and Retrospective Study to Characterize Real-World Use of Tafasitamab Plus Lenalidomide in US Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, with a Focus on Patients from Minority Groups

Background The combination of the anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody tafasitamab and the immune modulatory drug lenalidomide (LEN) has been commercially available in the US for adult patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, and who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) since August 05, 2020. It was granted accelerated FDA approval and EU conditional marketing authorization after the primary analysis of Phase II L-MIND study (NCT02399085) demonstrated safety and efficacy in this setting. To complement clinical data, it is important to assess real-world safety and effectiveness given the heterogeneity of routine clinical care. Furthermore, focusing on patients from racial and ethnic minorities, who may face challenges in receiving optimal access to care, may help to identify and address inequities. realMIND is an observational study of the real-world safety and effectiveness of tafasitamab + LEN for the treatment of R/R DLBCL among patients in the US by race and ethnicity. Using prospective and, where necessary, retrospective data collection, this non-interventional study will also provide a deeper understanding of treatment patterns of US patients with R/R DLBCL treated with tafasitamab, and its use in a real-world setting in terms of treatment duration, dose modifications, and post-tafasitamab + LEN combination partners and monotherapy use. Methods realMIND (NCT04981795) is a multicenter, observational, prospective and retrospective Phase IV trial-in-progress study targeting ≥100 US patients with R/R DLBCL treated with tafasitamab + LEN. To ensure diversity, Group 1 will enroll patients from racial and ethnic minorities (n≥50), while Group 2 will comprise non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients (n≥50) (Figure 1). Eligible patients are ≥18 years old with histologically confirmed R/R DLBCL, ≥1 prior line of treatment, and have initiated or will be initiating tafasitamab treatment (except in the context of an interventional study). Prospective data collection began at study sites in September 2021, and retrospective data (from study sites or vendor databases) may include patients with a tafasitamab start date (index date) from August 05, 2020, onwards. The primary endpoints include safety and effectiveness outcomes (Table 1). Serious adverse events (SAEs) and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) will be reported. Effectiveness will be assessed in terms of tumor response rates and time-to-event endpoints, while secondary endpoints include treatment line and dose information (Table 1). Patient data for this observational study will be collected by prospective follow-up of patients included at study sites, or by retrospective collection of data from patient records, at study sites or from vendor databases. Prospective and retrospective data will be analyzed separately, as well as pooled. No formal sample size calculation was performed due to the descriptive nature of the study and no hypothesis testing is planned. Study status The in-progress non-interventional realMIND study is expected to end by approximately December 2025, or earlier, when: ≥50 patients treated with tafasitamab + LEN have been recruited into each of Group 1 and Group 2 with either prospective or retrospective data collection; and all prospectively-followed patients have ≥6 months follow-up after starting tafasitamab treatment, or have discontinued from the study for any reason, whichever occurs earlier. The results are anticipated to describe the real-world safety and effectiveness of tafasitamab for R/R DLBCL in US patients, with a focus on underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, to help optimize outcomes of treatment and identify opportunities for further studies.

Improving persistence of underrepresented racial minority science majors: where to begin

Many colleges and universities are interested in implementing effective strategies to support broaden participation and persistence of undergraduates, and especially underrepresented students, in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors. While there are programs and models that have proven successful in this arena, many of these models are extremely resource intensive. This Perspective provides a distillation of key aspects of successful programs that institutions could consider implementing as a starting point when thinking about how to design programs to support students in STEM.

Promoting diversity in neurosurgery through a virtual symposium.

The rates of women and underrepresented racial and ethnic minority (UREM) students successfully matching into neurosurgical residency are extremely low and do not reflect the makeup of the general population. As of 2019, only 17.5% of neurosurgical residents in the United States were women, 4.95% were Black or African American, and 7.2% were Hispanic or Latinx. Earlier recruitment of UREM students will help to diversify the neurosurgical workforce. Therefore, the authors developed a virtual educational event for undergraduate students entitled "Future Leaders in Neurosurgery Symposium for Underrepresented Students'' (FLNSUS). The primary objectives of the FLNSUS were to expose attendees to 1) neurosurgeons from diverse gender, racial, and ethnic backgrounds; 2) neurosurgical research; 3) opportunities for neurosurgical mentorship; and 4) information about life as a neurosurgeon. The authors hypothesized that the FLNSUS would increase student self-confidence, provide exposure to the specialty, and reduce perceived barriers to a neurosurgical career. To measure the change in participant perceptions of neurosurgery, pre- and postsymposium surveys were administered to attendees. Of the 269 participants who completed the presymposium survey, 250 participated in the virtual event and 124 completed the postsymposium survey. Paired pre- and postsurvey responses were used for analysis, yielding a response rate of 46%. To assess the impact of participant perceptions of neurosurgery as a field, pre- and postsurvey responses to questions were compared. The change in response was analyzed, and a nonparametric sign test was performed to check for significant differences. According to the sign test, applicants showed increased familiarity with the field (p < 0.001), increased confidence in their abilities to become neurosurgeons (p = 0.014), and increased exposure to neurosurgeons from diverse gender, racial, and ethnic backgrounds (p < 0.001 for all categories). These results reflect a significant improvement in student perceptions of neurosurgery and suggest that symposiums like the FLNSUS may promote further diversification of the field. The authors anticipate that events promoting diversity in neurosurgery will lead to a more equitable workforce that will ultimately translate to enhanced research productivity, cultural humility, and patient-centered care in neurosurgery.

Inclusion of Middle Eastern and North African populations in diabetes clinical research

The need for diverse representation in clinical trials has recently been reinforced by the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) guidance for industry entitled, “Diversity Plans to Improve Enrollment of Participants from Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Populations in Clinical Trials.” By ensuring inclusion of underrepresented racial and ethnic minority populations in clinical trials, results can be more generalizable and the safety and efficacy can be accurately assessed within the diverse U.S. population. Limitations exist in the interpretation and implementation of clinical trial results reported using the current racial and ethnic categories, as these standards do not reflect the true diversity of the U.S. population. This is particularly true for the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) population, which is usually overlooked given the lack of an established category. Although the international MENA region demonstrates the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world at 12.2%, the actual prevalence among MENA individuals living in the U.S. may be “hidden” within the White category. Therefore, data on the MENA population should be disaggregated from data within the White category to not only unmask health disparities, but also to ensure adequate representation in clinical trials. This paper discusses the importance of appropriate representation and inclusion of the MENA population in diabetes clinical trials, which is a critical public health issue domestically and globally.

Survey of clinical informatics fellows graduating 2016-2024: experiences before and during fellowship.

To describe experiences and activities of Clinical Informatics (CI) fellows since the first fellowships were accredited in 2014. We performed a voluntary and anonymous survey of 394 alumni and current clinical informatics fellows from the graduating classes of 2016-2024 in the summer of 2022. We received 198 responses; 2% declined to participate. Most were male (62%), White (39%), 31-40 years old (72%), from primary care specialties (54%) and nonprocedural specialties (95%), and without prior informatics experience or any careers before medicine. Most fellows (87-94%) participated significantly in operations, research, coursework, quality improvement, and clinical care activities during fellowship. Women, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, and procedural physicians were underrepresented. Many incoming CI fellows did not have an informatics background. During CI fellowship, trainees earned Master's degrees and certificates, were exposed to many different types of CI activities, and were able to spend most of their time pursuing projects that supported their personal career goals. These findings represent the most comprehensive report to date of CI fellows and alumni. Physicians without prior informatics experience who are interested in CI should be encouraged to apply because CI fellowship provides a strong foundation of informatics knowledge while supporting fellows' personal career goals. There remains a lack of women and underrepresented minorities in CI fellowship programs; efforts to expand the pipeline are needed.

Under-Representation of Racial Minorities and Under-Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Studies Used to Inform 2014 Atopic Dermatitis Clinical Guidelines: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Dermatitis®Ahead of Print LetterUnder-Representation of Racial Minorities and Under-Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Studies Used to Inform 2014 Atopic Dermatitis Clinical Guidelines: A Cross-Sectional AnalysisKatie Roster, Lillian Xie, Farhha Fatima Feroz, and Shari R. LipnerKatie Rosterhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3128-9498New York Medical College, New York, NY, USA.Search for more papers by this author, Lillian XieNew York Medical College, New York, NY, USA.Search for more papers by this author, Farhha Fatima FerozNew York Medical College, New York, NY, USA.Search for more papers by this author, and Shari R. LipnerDepartment of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Search for more papers by this authorEmail the corresponding author at shl9032@med.cornell.eduPublished Online:22 Jun 2023https://doi.org/10.1089/derm.2023.0025AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail View articleFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 0Issue 0 Information© 2023 American Contact Dermatitis Society. All Rights Reserved.To cite this article:Katie Roster, Lillian Xie, Farhha Fatima Feroz, and Shari R. Lipner.Under-Representation of Racial Minorities and Under-Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Studies Used to Inform 2014 Atopic Dermatitis Clinical Guidelines: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.Dermatitis®.ahead of printhttp://doi.org/10.1089/derm.2023.0025Online Ahead of Print:June 22, 2023PDF download

Factors Related to College Major Selection in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Purpose:The growing number of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States is not reflected in the speech-language pathology profession, with ramifications for the diverse communities it serves. Despite decades of initiatives, the numbers of racial and ethnic minorities entering the profession have been modest. The aim of this pilot study is to explore potential factors that influence decision making for a college major that could inform strategies for underrepresented racial and ethnic minority (URM) recruitment into communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs.Method:The theory of planned behavior was used as a framework to explore the influences on students' selection of college majors with a particular focus on speech-language pathology. Students enrolled and not enrolled in CSD programs were surveyed about their attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective normative pressure (e.g., perceptions of race and ethnic representation, familiarity with speech-language pathology, and family education).Results:There were significant differences between CSD and non-CSD respondents, and between URM and White respondents in their perception of representation and exposure to the profession. The majority of URM students reported that race and ethnic representation is important in their chosen job. URM students were less likely than White students to know anyone who has received speech-language therapy or who is a speech-language pathologist.Conclusion:Findings suggest that initiatives to increase representation and diverse role models, and early exposure to the profession for URM students should be areas of focus in the efforts to diversify the profession.

Marginalized and Overlooked? Minoritized Groups and the Adoption of New Scientific Ideas

The rapid diffusion and use of new ideas are critical for advancing and realizing the value of innovation. This paper explores the impact of demographic characteristics of innovators and potential adopters on the adoption of important new scientific ideas through networks. Using rich, population-level data on the biomedical researchers and their networks, natural language processing, and a novel two-way fixed effects strategy, we find that new ideas introduced by female scientists are under-utilized, which can be explain by two factors. First, female innovators are not as well-connected in networks; second, even at a short network distances, researchers (especially men) are less likely to adopt women’s ideas. Ideas from underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities are also less widely used.

A mixed method analysis of student satisfaction with active learning techniques in an online graduate anatomy course: Consideration of demographics and previous course enrollment.

Online learning has become an essential part of mainstream higher education. With increasing enrollments in online anatomy courses, a better understanding of effective teaching techniques for the online learning environment is critical. Active learning has previously shown many benefits in face-to-face anatomy courses, including increases in student satisfaction. Currently, no research has measured student satisfaction with active learning techniques implemented in an online graduate anatomy course. This study compares student satisfaction across four different active learning techniques (jigsaw, team-learning module, concept mapping, and question constructing), with consideration of demographics and previous enrollment in anatomy and/or online courses. Survey questions consisted of Likert-style, multiple-choice, ranking, and open-ended questions that asked students to indicate their level of satisfaction with the active learning techniques. One hundred seventy Medical Science master's students completed the online anatomy course and all seven surveys. Results showed that students were significantly more satisfied with question constructing and jigsaw than with concept mapping and team-learning module. Additionally, historically excluded groups (underrepresented racial minorities) were generally more satisfied with active learning than non-minority groups. Age, gender, and previous experience with anatomy did not influence the level of satisfaction. However, students with a higher-grade point average (GPA), those with only a bachelor's degree, and those with no previous online course experience were more satisfied with active learning than students who had a lower GPA, those holding a graduate/professional degree, and those with previous online course experience. Cumulatively, these findings support the beneficial use of active learning in online anatomy courses.

Factors associated with emergency physician income.

Income fairness is important, but there are limited data that describe income equity among emergency physicians. Understanding the magnitude of and factors associated with income differences may be helpful in eliminating disparities. This study analyzed the associations of demographic factors, training, practice setting, and board certification with emergency physician income. We distributed a survey to professional members of the American College of Emergency Physicians. The survey included questions on annual income, educational background, practice characteristics, gender, age, race, ethnicity, international medical graduate status, type of medical degree (MD vs DO), completion of a subspecialty fellowship, job characteristics, and board certification. Respondents also reported annual income. We used linear regression to determine the respondent characteristics associated with reported annual income. From 45,961 members we received 3407 responses (7.4%); 2350 contained complete data for regression analysis. The mean reported annual income was $315,306 (95% confidence interval [CI], $310,649 to $319,964). The mean age of the respondents was 47.4 years, 37.4% were women, 3.2% were races underrepresented in medicine (Black, American Indian, or Alaskan Native), and 4.8% were Hispanic or Latino. On linear regression, female gender was associated with lower reported annual income; difference -$43,565, 95% CI, -$52,217 to -$34,913. Physician age, degree (MD vs DO), underrepresented racial minority status, and underrepresented ethnic minority status were not associated with annual income. Fellowship training was associated with lower income; Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) program difference -$30,048; 95% CI, -$48,183 to -$11,912, non-ACGME-program difference -$27,640, 95% CI, -$40,970 to -$14,257. Working at a for-profit institution was associated with higher income; difference $12,290, 95% CI, $3693 to $20,888. Board certification was associated with higher income; difference, $43,267, 95% CI, $30,767 to $55,767. This study identified income disparities associated with gender, practice setting, fellowship completion, and American Board of Emergency Medicine or American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine certification.

Discrimination and Mental Health Outcomes Among Underrepresented College Students: The Role of Sense of Belonging at Predominantly White Institutions

In this study, we explored the potential for an individual’s sense of belonging to serve as an indirect pathway that could explain the noxious effects of discrimination on mental health outcomes among underrepresented college students at a predominantly White institution (PWI). Students ( N = 308; 68% female) were eligible to participate if they identified as a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic minority, economically disadvantaged, and/or if they identified as a first-generation college student. Data were collected over three time points during students’ first three academic years. Bootstrapped confidence intervals of the standardized indirect effect indicated that discrimination at time one indirectly predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms and experienced stress at time three via a lowered sense of belonging at time two. These results suggest that underrepresented students’ sense of belonging at a PWI may explain some of the relationship between students’ experiences of discrimination and negative mental health outcomes.

It’s in Our DNA: Leadership Perspectives on Institutionalizing STEM Success in an Alliance

This study investigated how institutional leaders within an alliance navigate and use their agency to cultivate organizational change to support the success of underrepresented racial minority (URM) science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students. As part of this study, we partnered with the Illinois Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ILSAMP), a signature program of the National Science Foundation (NSF), to explore our research question. The phenomenon of interest is the institutional leaders’ perceptions of their agency and their organization’s efforts to engage in the Alliance and support URM STEM student success through the various initiatives. The research team conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with institutional leaders and faculty at 11 public and private institutions as part of the STEM alliance. We utilized Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phased thematic analysis to identify patterns of meaning within the data that respond to the research question. Findings revealed a leadership perspective that frames approaches to STEM initiatives becoming a part of an institution’s fabric. The contribution of this study relates to the illumination of the tension between institutional leaders' agency to make change sustainable versus structural and leadership networks inhibiting STEM success efforts.

Experiences of Underrepresented Racial Minorities in the Entry-Level Physical Therapy Education Application Process: A Conceptual Framework.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Black and Latinx students as they navigate the entry-level physical therapy education program (PTEP) admissions process and how they made meaning of their experiences. Existing literature is focused on quantitative aspects of the admissions process and on the applicant's potential for success within an entry-level PTEP. There is currently not enough evidence to provide the applicant perspective when navigating the entry-level physical therapy education admissions process. A total of 11 participants were recruited from all entry-level PTEPs through social media sites and national student organizations for Black and Latinx students enrolled in entry-level PTEPs. Three interviews were conducted for each participant. Their responses were combined with a demographic survey received before the first. Interviews were then transcribed and coded with deductive and inductive processes. The study yields a conceptual model for recruitment of Black and Latinx students. Factors for programs to consider include introduction to the profession, challenges and factors of support within the application process, and factors influencing enrollment decisions. This exploratory study provides a roadmap to better understand the experiences and journey of Black and Latinx students to the field of physical therapy. Findings could be used by entry-level PTEPs to provide better access to information for prospective students.

The Role of Minoritized Student Representation in Promoting Achievement and Equity Within College STEM Courses

In the context of continued equity gaps in student success within and beyond STEM, this paper explored the extent to which the representation of underrepresented racial minority (URM) and first-generation college students predict grades in postsecondary STEM courses. The analyses examined 87,027 grades received by 11,868 STEM-interested students within 8,468 STEM courses at 20 institutions. Cross-classified multilevel models and student fixed effects analyses of these data both support the same conclusion: the proportion of URM and first-generation students within a class is positively associated with STEM grades among all students, and these relationships are stronger among students who are members of the minoritized group. Thus, promoting the representation of students with minoritized identities in STEM courses may lead to greater equity in college outcomes.