2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Investigating Transition Phases: An Autoethnographic Study of International Women of Color Engineering Educators in the U.S.

Presented at International Division (INTL) Technical Session: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The study aims to explore the transitions experienced by international Women of Color (IWoC) engineers in the US as they navigate their academic and professional lives in the US. Motivated by the lack of research on IWoC’s experiences, specifically around transition points of their lives, four international Women of Color participated in this qualitative auto-ethnographic deep-dive. All four researchers have attended college in the United States for their high educational degrees focused on education/engineering education and are currently involved in engineering education scholarship work.

Through a collaborative autoethnography approach grounded in transnational feminism, this study observes the unique challenges and barriers this group faces. Previous research highlighted that transitions start for international students even before they arrive in the USA, and since then, they go through multiple transitions. While international students’/scholars’/workers’ experience is an emerging area in engineering education, there is a lack of research specifically focused on International Women of Color.

Importantly, our narratives challenge the traditional notion of IWOC as a monolithic identity. The topic is important as it highlights the unique challenges faced by this group and the need for structural and mentorship support and resources to facilitate their transition as the individuals evolve. The findings have implications for policy and practice, particularly in the areas of support services and resources for international Women of Color students. Also, our research has direct implications for mentorship strategies and faculty development.

Authors

Maimuna Begum Kali http://orcid.org/https://0000-0003-1770-7363 Florida International University [biography]

Maimuna Begum Kali is a Ph.D. candidate in the Engineering and Computing Education program at the School of Universal Computing, Construction, and Engineering Education (SUCCEED) at Florida International University (FIU). She earned her B.Sc. in Computer Science and Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Kali's research interests center on exploring the experiences of marginalized engineering students, with a particular focus on their hidden identity, mental health, and wellbeing. Her work aims to enhance inclusivity and diversity in engineering education, contributing to the larger body of research in the field.
Debalina Maitra Arizona State University [biography]

Debalina Maitra is a Post-doctoral Research Associate at ASU. Prior to her current role, Debalina Maitra was employed by CAFECS (Chicago Alliance for Equity in Computer Science), a NSF-funded Research Practice Partnership, for almost two years. She compl
Dr. Sreyoshi Bhaduri ThatStatsGirl [biography]

Dr. Sreyoshi Bhaduri is an Engineering Educator and People Research Scientist. She employs innovative and ethical mixed-methods research approaches to uncover insights about the 21st century workforce. Sreyoshi has a doctorate in Engineering Education, and Masters degrees in Applied Statistics (M.A.) and Mechanical Engineering (M.S.), from Virginia Tech. She earned her Bachelors degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Manipal University in India. Sreyoshi has been recognized as a Graduate Academy for Teaching Excellence (VTGrATE) Fellow, a Global Perspectives Program (GPP) Fellow, a Diversity scholar, and was inducted in the Bouchet Honor Society in 2017.
Sreyoshi is passionate about improving belonging among women in Engineering. She serves as Senator at SWE (Society of Women Engineers) - the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology with over 42,000 global members. She also champions and serves as advisor at Sisters in STEM - a not-for-profit led by school students, aimed at increasing interest, engagement, and allyship in STEM. Learn more about her work at - www.ThatStatsGirl.com. This work was carried out independent of author's current employment at Amazon. Views expressed in this paper are the author's own and do not represent those of the organization she works at.
Dr. Lilianny Virguez http://orcid.org/0009-0007-1672-3907 University of Florida [biography]

Lilianny Virgüez is an Instructional Associate Professor within the Engineering Education Department at the University of Florida. With a background in the telecommunications industry, Dr. Virgüez brings valuable practical experience to her academic role. She earned her Ph.D. in Engineering Education and a Master's degree in Management Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech, complementing her Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering.

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