Historically Underrepresented Graduate Students' Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of historically underrepresented graduate students, more than half of whom were enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This focus group study represents an initial stage in developing an intervention for historically underrepresented graduate students and their families. Background Underrepresentation of graduate students of color in STEM has been attributed to a myriad of factors, including a lack of support systems. Familial support is an endorsed reason for persisting in graduate school. It is unclear what historically underrepresented graduate students' experiences are during uncertain times, such as a pandemic. Method Focus groups were conducted online using a videoconferencing platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five focus groups included: historically underrepresented doctoral students (n = 5), historically underrepresented master's students (n = 6), academic faculty (n = 7), administrator, administrative faculty, and academic faculty (n = 6), and families of historically underrepresented doctoral students (n = 6). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Historically underrepresented graduate students experienced difficulties in accessing resources, adjustments to home and family life, amplification of existing nonfinancial issues, and expressed both fears of and hopes for the future. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities in access to resources as well as nonfinancial family support. Implications This study may help normalize historically underrepresented graduate students' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings include ideas for informing families about graduate school that can enlighten family support efforts for historically underrepresented graduate students and their families.

Automated summary

The study revealed that historically underrepresented graduate students faced challenges in accessing resources, adjusting to home and family life, exacerbating existing issues, and expressing fears and hopes for the future during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic exacerbated inequalities in access to resources and nonfinancial family support, highlighting the need for interventions and support for underrepresented graduate students and their families.