Navigating the Path: Challenges and Triumphs for LGBTQIA+ Individuals in STEM

Gender and sexuality issues are commonly neglected in STEM, sidelining valuable LGBTQIA+ and limiting progress in inclusivity. Implementing strategies like tailored hiring, inclusive decision-making, and robust administrative frameworks can boost LGBTQIA+ retention in engineering. Overcoming existing barriers is essential to achieve diverse educational and professional environments. This study aims to enhance LGBTQIA+ student retention and faculty diversity in academia through strategic interventions and exploring factors like onboarding, first-year experiences, minority mentorship, and peer affiliations Supported by recent literature and preliminary findings from a University of Minnesota study, our claims strongly advocate for promoting inclusion and advancement of sexual minorities and women in engineering. The results reveal the field's historically unwelcoming nature toward diverse sexual orientations. Our study solidly affirms the vital link between positive social relationships, a sense of belonging, and finding meaning in professional and academic paths, emphasizing the need to prioritize retention-enhancing strategies in STEM.