As of Fall 2021, 60.9% of students at Denison identify as White, classifying Denison as a predominately white institution (PWI). While there are not as many students of color at Denison, there is an even scarcer amount of students of color in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related majors, pursuing careers related to sciences. Being a minority in a community can have various impacts on the way a student sees themselves, and whether or not they believe they can succeed in any given career path. Given that the majority of the STEM students at Denison are white, and STEM careers continue to be dominated by white men, it can be hard for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students to feel as though their identities are represented in STEM fields.
Jenavier Tejada ‘24 and Mikaila Carpenter ‘23 are two students in STEM fields who have underrepresented identities, planning to pursue careers in healthcare after Denison. They described some of the challenges they face as women of color and advice they would give younger students of color who are interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields, specifically in the healthcare and clinical fields.
Jenavier is a global health and biology double major, planning on attending graduate school after Denison to pursue a Masters in Public Health. She described how being a woman of color in STEM has taught her that she has to work so much harder to compete with other students in the classroom. The expectations are higher for students of color (due to having to disprove stereotypes associated with their racial identity), pushing them to overperform and take on many responsibilities. As a result, there is a high number of POC students serving as student leaders, inside and outside of the classroom.
“Some advice I would give other students is that it’s okay to ask for help from professors, and don’t feel as though you are lesser than others for doing so, we all learn differently so it’s important to cater to your learning style, not others” – Jenavier Tejada ‘24
Mikaila Carpenter is a senior biology major with a minor in chemistry who will be attending medical school after Denison. However, her journey getting to this point has been nothing short of interesting. She discusses how her mom was a nurse, so she knew a career in healthcare was possible, despite not seeing doctors who looked like her. She knew she would encounter resistance in the pursuit of her dreams to attend medical school. It has been difficult for her to deal with academic professionals who doubt her abilities, specifically her ability to play collegiate athletics, complete rigorous academic coursework, hold jobs on campus, and apply to medical school directly out of undergrad. The journey has been difficult, but finding supportive faculty and staff on campus has been crucial for her.
Mikaila’s identity has shaped her drive to work in underserved communities, specifically BIPOC populations. As a physician, there is so much knowledge afforded through medical school and clinical experiences. All of the information she will obtain in the future, coupled with her lived experiences of not having healthcare professionals that look like her, has motivated her to work in underserved minority communities.
“I would advise younger students of color to seek help and network early on. Having connections to faculty and alumni in your field of interest is almost a way to “cheat the system.” There are people out there who have similar lived experiences and have navigated the paths you have gone to, it just takes a little more work. Use your professors and the Knowlton Center to your advantage to achieve your goals” -Mikaila Carpenter ‘23
BIPOC students in STEM fields face many challenges that their White counterparts will never fully understand or experience. It is important that these conversations continue to take place so that there can be more equal representation in healthcare fields. Jenavier and Mikaila are two students, of many Denisonians, that continue to work hard and pave the way for younger students of color, ensuring there is more representation in healthcare settings. There is certainly more work to be done, but it is important to recognize how far we have come as a society and highlight student stories and experiences related to STEM.
