The factors affecting the persistence of Latina faculty: A literature review using the intersectionality of race, gender, and class

This literature review explores the state of research on the factors affecting the persistence of Latina faculty. Although its focus is on engineering, it also draws from research on Latina faculty in other areas of science. The results are analyzed through Intersectionality Theory, which considers overlapping identities related to gender, race and class and their interactions to promote or hinder the advancements of Latinas in academia. The synthesized research identifies the influence of factors such as group identity, familismo, value of community, resilience, availability of role models and mentors, financial barriers, as factors most affecting Latina faculty during their education and academic careers. Although current literature explores factors and paradoxes surrounding strategies for and barriers to Latina success in STEM careers, this synthesis finds a lack of literature examining the multiple identities of Latina women, and few reports considering the intersectionality of identities as it pertains to Latina underrepresentation in Engineering. This critical literature review concludes with opportunity areas for future research to be conducted.