School of Education 2022 Outstanding Education Doctoral Dissertation Presentation

Yearning to Learn: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Black Engineering Students Deciding to Stay or Leave Engineering Majors

Thursday, May 4 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Fleming Building, Room 104
Online Zoom option available, please register at bit.ly/SOE-Ennis.

Dr. Tanya Ennis’ presentation will highlight the findings of her dissertation which include multiple configurations of factors working together that inform Black engineering students in making a decision to stay or leave engineering majors. Her theoretical framework draws upon research on the continual reinforcement of the racialized environment on university campuses, academic social supports, resilience responses and feedback loops. Dr. Ennis’ dissertation topic grew out of her desire to center and understand Black students’ experiences in engineering, revealing the complexities of why Black students choose to stay or leave. She will outline the results of her findings and reveal the multiple factors working together that contribute to Black engineering students deciding to stay or leave.

Tanya Ennis is the Broadening Participation Director for the SpectrumX Center and the CU Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science’s Research Support Office. A recent alumnus of the CU Boulder School of Education in learning sciences and human development, Ennis’ work with SpectrumX will have a national impact through the 13 research institutions and several minority-serving institutions associated with the center and will provide a pathway for increasing diversity among faculty and student researchers.