Dream On! Supporting and Graduating African American Girls and Women in STEM

Dream on! Supporting and Graduating African American Girls and Women in STEM tells the life stories of African American women who originally pursued degrees in pre-medicine and  science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors in high school and college.

In Dream On! Dr. McPherson draws upon the personal stories of 16 undergraduate African American women who had aspirations of pursuing undergraduate degrees that led to careers in medicine, health professions, engineering, or mathematical fields. The book begins by telling their success stories and love for math and science in K-12 settings. It then discusses their stories of trials, triumphs, and even some tragedies when pursuing their undergraduate degrees at predominantly white institutions (PWIs). Despite enduring challenges in their majors, all 16 of resilient African American women completed undergraduate degrees in health science, social science, and/or STEM majors. A discussion on how they built a sense of community, that is a sense of belonging in their majors is described as well.

Careers that these women pursued were medical doctors, scientists, mathematicians, engineer, business professional, and human resources professionals.

The book is a must read for girls, women, and minority women, and minorities who want to pursue medical degrees or STEM fields at predominantly white institutions, families, educators, administrators, and policymakers.