Amplifying similarity to promote college STEM instructor–student mentoring relationship quality: a cluster randomized trial

• DOI: 10.3389/feduc.2023.1293885
• Publication Date: 2023-11-23T14:07:44Z
• Authors: Wenyi Du; Hyewon Lee; Nicole A. Broderick; Cristian Cervante...; Mica Estrada; Jo Handelsman; Natalia Maldonado; Sarah Miller; Megan S. Patterson; Perla Sandoval; Paul R. Hernandez
• Keywords: Similarity (geometry)

Introduction Despite numerous (co)curricular efforts, diversifying the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research workforce remains challenging large segments of U.S. population continue to be underrepresented. Promoting instructor–student mentoring relationship quality is a potentially important mechanism support biomedical diversity, as has been positively associated with learning persistence. We tested impact “Creating Birds Feather” (CBoaF) intervention designed promote perceptions shared similarities (psychological similarity), which in turn should instructor-student quality. Methods This pretest-posttest cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted diverse sample instructors ( J = 15) undergraduates N 567) enrolled biological course-based undergraduate experience courses at 13 universities across Results Multilevel modeling results indicated that effect on undergraduates’ psychological similarity moderated by pretest similarity. That is, among classes low levels pretest, group developed stronger posttest than control group, but there were no between differences high pretest. Furthermore, exhibited positive indirect through Discussion These findings highlight potential CBoaF enhance similarity, subsequently leading improved insights have significant implications for initiatives aim diversity inclusion STEM emphasizing cultivation students instructors.