Episode 27: Disparities Between Individuals and their Organizational Norms with Sophia Houston & Dr. Katie McCorrison

How do faculty and advisors influence the way students feel a sense of belonging in higher education? Science Education Advisor Dr. Katie McCorrison co-hosts with Dr. Joe Gaston in a special alumni highlight episode. Alternative school teacher Sophia Houston discusses how engaging, hands-on experiences such as onsite field trips offer new perspectives for students with limited experiences. Informed by her research with university faculty, Dr. Henning and Dr. Tran into disparities between an individual and their organizational norms, Houston has developed meaningfully tangible experiences for marginalized students in secondary science classrooms. She also discusses how this "cultural mismatch" can hinder first generation college students as they navigate applying for admission and financial aid as well intersecting with STEM disciplines and student organizations. In exposing student perceptions of barriers to access advisors and resources as well as condescending attitudes by faculty, Houston is getting the word out about how to become agents of change in better assisting and promoting marginalized college students.