Dr. Morris Clarke is associate professor of biochemistry.
Dr. Morris Clarke, WSSU associate professor of biochemistry in the Department of Life Sciences, will partner with Clemson and Ohio State University researchers on a three-year, $499,890 funded study of motivational factors of STEM students at historically black colleges and universities. Specifically it will examine pre-college and college factors, institutional characteristics, intellectual orientations, and vocational competence and commitment.
“National data indicate that the number of underrepresented women and men receiving STEM degrees has increased over the years,” says Clarke. “However, there is a general agreement among stakeholders that we need to recruit, retain and graduate more racial and ethnic minority students to enhance America’s competitiveness in the global economy,” Clarke noted.
Other study objectives are to better understand the impact of individual characteristics and institutional environments on the academic motivations and persistence strategies of female and male students majoring in STEM disciplines. The study will determine if the academic environment at HBCUs influences students’ vocational interest and commitment to STEM careers.
