Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Barriers And Supports For Stem Motivation For Pacific Islander High School And Undergraduate Students, Shanthia N. Espinosa, Alma M. O. Trinidad, Lisa K. Marriott

Student Research Symposium

Pacific Islander (PI) students disproportionately come from low socioeconomic backgrounds and are often first-generation college students. PI students have been historically underserved with limited access to educational resources and support. As a result, PI students face low student retention rates and have reported dissatisfaction with higher education student services. There is little research dedicated to understanding the STEM experiences of PI students related to access, success, and motivational resilience in higher education. This study examines barriers and facilitating factors for motivation among PI students using electronic surveys, focus groups, and group discussions. Participants comprise high school and undergraduates residing in …