Negotiating Identity: A Look at the Educational Experiences of Black Undergraduates in STEM Disciplines

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate the mathematics educational experiences of Black undergraduate students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines at the University of Virginia. Using Murrell's (2009) situated-mediated identity theory as the theoretical framework, this study examines factors that influence the construction of mathematics identities of these students. Findings indicate that race significantly influenced the educational experiences of these students and, consequently, the construction of their identities as mathematics learners and doers.