Navigating the STEM Professoriate as a Black Woman

The absence of faculty diversity continues to plague American colleges and universities, with about 6% of associate and 4% of full professors identifying as Black or African American, based on a 2016 survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics. This chapter will reflect on the personal experiences of a Black woman in STEM, examining whether diversity efforts have affected the number of Black and African American women in the STEM professoriate. It includes current efforts regarding diversity and inclusion, as well as recommendations of ways that institutions can help to foster a sense of belonging.