Home Diversity in geology and geophysics degree programs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Diversity in geology and geophysics degree programs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

  • Innocent J. Aluka EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: June 26, 2023
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Abstract

The underrepresentation of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds in geology, geophysics, and other STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is well documented in the United States. Only two universities out of about 107 HBCUs have geology and geophysics degree programs, even though there are over 400 universities in the United States that offer geology and geophysics degree programs. The low presence of these degree programs in HBCUs is a major barrier that has visible consequences. For example, Blacks and other CLD individuals are forced to be intellectually unchallenged, suppressed, and underutilized. Other consequences include low opportunities in college admission, employment, promotion, and life success. How can this problem be solved? This article addresses this question.


Corresponding author: Innocent J. Aluka, Chemistry and Physics, Prairie View, TX, 77446-0519, USA, E-mail:

References

Bruce, M. (2014). The mentoring effect: Young people’s perspectives on the outcomes and availability of mentoring. https://files.eric.ed.gov Search in Google Scholar

Carnevale, A., Smith, N., & Melton, M. (2011). Stem- science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Georgetown University’s Center for Education and the Workforce Issues STEM Education Report.Search in Google Scholar

Engler, J. (2012). Stem education is the key to the U.S.’s economic future. US. News & World Reports. https://w-vv-w.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2012/06/15/stem-education-is-the-key-to-theuss-economic-future Search in Google Scholar

Full List of HBCUs. (2018). The hundred seven. http://www.thehundredseven.org.html/ Search in Google Scholar

Galindo, P. (2019). The list of all U.S. colleges with a geology major. https://blog.collegevine.com/the-list-of-all-u-s-colleges-with-a-geologv-major/ Search in Google Scholar

Gallien, L. B.Jr., Royal, A. P., & Wighting, M. J. (2005). Cultural and interpersonal factors affecting African American academic performance in higher education. The Journal of Negro Education, 74(4), 359–370.Search in Google Scholar

HBCU School Offering-Geology Program. (2022). https://hbcu-colleges.com Search in Google Scholar

History of HBCUS. (2019). Thurgood Marshall college fund. https://www.tmcf.org Search in Google Scholar

Holistic Life Foundation. (2022). Mentors and mindfulness for underprivileged youths: How kids can benefit & grow for the future. https://hlfinc.org/mentors-and-mindfulness-for-underprivileged-youths-how-kids-can-benefit Search in Google Scholar

Ladson-Billings, G. (2009). The Dream keepers: Successful teachers of African American children. Jossey-Bass.Search in Google Scholar

Longtime, C., & Jones, M. (2011). The Crossroads of U.S. demographics and higher education: A tale of disparate futures. CUR Quarterly, 31(2), 29–37.Search in Google Scholar

Moses, M. (2014). Status of geoscience workforce. https://www.americangeosciences.org/news/status-geoscience-workforce-2014-report-published-agi Search in Google Scholar

National Academy of Science, National Academy of Engineering & Institute of Medicine. (2011). Expanding underrepresented minority participation: America’s science and technology talent at the crossroads. The National Academies Press.Search in Google Scholar

Obama, B. (2010). President Obama announces goal of recruiting 10,000 STEM teachers over the next two years. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.goc/the-pressoffice/2010/09/27/president-obama-announces.goal.recruiting-10000-stem-teachers-overnext Search in Google Scholar

Obiakor, F. E. (2018). Powerful multicultural essays for innovative educators and leaders: Optimizing “hearty” conversations. Information Age.Search in Google Scholar

Obiakor, F. E. (2020). Valuing other voices: Discourses that matter in education, social justice, and multiculturalism. Information Age.Search in Google Scholar

Obiakor, F. E. (2021). Multiculturalism still matters in education and society: Responding to changing times. Information Age.Search in Google Scholar

Obiakor, F. E., Aluka, I. J., Mbagwu, E. I., & Obi, S. (2023). Beyond fraudulent multiculturalism in higher education: Moving forward. Multicultural Learning and Teaching. https://doi.org/10.1515/mlt-2023-0001.Search in Google Scholar

O’Connell, S., & Holmes, M. A. (2011). Obstacles to the recruitment of minorities into the geosciences: A call to action. GSA Today, 21(6), 52–54. https://doi.org/10.1130/g105gw.1.Search in Google Scholar

Riggs, E., & Alexander, C. (2007). Special issue: Broadening participation in the earth Sciences. Journal of Geosciences Education, 55(6), 445–446. https://doi.org/10.5408/1089-9995-55.6.445 Search in Google Scholar

Spradlin, L. K., & Parsons, R. D. (2008). Diversity matters: Understanding diversity in schools. Thomson Wadsworth.Search in Google Scholar

Tanase, M. (2020). Is good teaching culturally responsive? Journal of Pedagogical Research, 4(3), 187–202. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpr.2020063333 Search in Google Scholar

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2015). Occupational outlook handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-socialscience/geoscientists.htm Search in Google Scholar

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). U.S. Employment projections summary 2021–2031. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.nr0.htm Search in Google Scholar

Velasco, A. A., & Velasco, J. (2010). Striving to diversify the geosciences. EOS Transactions American Geophysical Union, 91(31), 289–290. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010eo330001.Search in Google Scholar

Webster, T. (2014). The inclusive classroom. BU Journal of Graduate Studies in Education, 6(2), 25.Search in Google Scholar

Wendel, J. (2014). New report predicts shortage of geoscientists in the workforce. EOS Transactions American Geophysical Union, 95(23), 195. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014eo230003.Search in Google Scholar

Zippia. (2010). Geologists demographics and statistics in the US-Zippia. Zippia.com/geologist-jobs/demographics Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2023-02-14
Accepted: 2023-05-31
Published Online: 2023-06-26

© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Downloaded on 12.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/mlt-2023-0012/html
Scroll to top button