Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
9-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Organizational Leadership
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Jeff Cranmore
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Jason Ward
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Misty Resendez Woods
Abstract
This qualitative descriptive study explored barriers, strategies, and career aspirations of 10 firstgeneration, low-income Hispanic male STEM students at Texas universities. Prior research highlighted systemic inequities affecting this group’s academic success. The study addressed how these students described educational barriers, strategies to overcome them, and influences on their STEM career aspirations. Data were collected via 10 semistructured Zoom interviews, online questionnaires, and open-ended questionnaires from participants at four Texas-based universities. Reflexive thematic analysis with NVivo software identified five themes: sociocultural and economic barriers, academic and institutional challenges, resilience and coping strategies, support systems, and influence on career aspirations and identity. Results showed barriers like financial constraints, familial expectations, cultural dissonance, academic rigor, and resource limitations. Students employed time management and peer collaboration, relying on family, mentors, and scholarships. STEM education helped shape ambitions and Hispanic identities, despite tensions. Findings suggested that culturally responsive mentorship, financial literacy programs, and peer-led initiatives would enhance equity. These insights inform institutional practices to support underrepresented students, fostering diverse contributions to STEM innovation.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Autry, Katherine L., "Navigating Barriers: The Experiences of First-Generation, Low-Income, Hispanic Male STEM Majors Enrolled in Texas Universities" (2025). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 938.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/938