The Recruitment and Retention of Ethnic Minorities in Collegiate Aviation Programs

Abstract

An underrepresentation of minorities exists in the aviation industry. This underrepresentation can also be seen in collegiate aviation programs. Colleges and universities as well as other organizations have attempted to recruit and retain more minority students into STEM majors. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of minority and non-minority student on the effectiveness of recruitment and retention strategies used within the Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace Department. To collect responses, a survey was utilized. It was found that the majority of students, both minority and non-minority, believe racial bias does not exist in their aviation program. While students felt their aviation program lacked effective recruitment strategies, they were satisfied with strategies used to retain students.