ABSTRACT: For many years, the U.S. has underutilized its human
resources, as evidenced by the pervasive underrepresentation of
several racial and ethnic groups within academia in general and the
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines,
in particular. To address this underutilization, academic
departments within U.S. universities must develop grassroots efforts
that both recruit and retain students from all segments of the U.S.
population. While many departments have noted this need and are
earnestly trying to increase the diversity of their programs, very few
have successfully achieved this laudable goal. This inquiry into the
salient features of successful diversity agendas within STEM academic
departments provides key insights into how departments can increase
and sustain the doctoral degree attainment of students from
underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups.