How student-led organizations shape STEM pre-service teachers' sense of belonging

Authors

  • Uchenna Emenaha Miles The University of Texas at San Antonio, USA
  • Samantha Leishsing University of Texas at San Antonio, USA
  • Janet Solis Rodriguez University of Texas at San Antonio, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/f46x4b78

Keywords:

Belongingness, Post-pandemic, Pre-Service Teachers, Sense of belonging, STEM, Student organizations

Abstract

Student organizations have been shown to have positive effects on students’ wellbeing and academic achievement. This study examines how student-led organizations within a STEM teacher preparation program shape students’ sense of belonging among 27 undergraduate STEM pre-service teachers following the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis revealed that participation in student-led organizations was associated with increases in students’ sense of belonging, socioemotional wellbeing, academic outcomes, and connection to the teaching profession. These findings suggest that student-led organizations can play a pivotal role in fostering prospective teachers’ sense of belonging by creating supportive communities that cultivate their professional growth as they prepare to enter the STEM teaching workforce.

Author Biographies

  • Uchenna Emenaha Miles, The University of Texas at San Antonio, USA

    UCHENNA EMENAHA MILES, PhD, is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research focuses on culturally responsive practices in STEM education, with an emphasis on equity, identity, and teacher preparation. Email: uchenna.miles@utsa.edu

  • Samantha Leishsing, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA

    Samantha Leihsing, M.A., is a graduate research at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research interests focus on anti-oppressive social studies teacher preparation and rehumanizing civic education. Email: Samantha.leihsing@utsa.edu

  • Janet Solis Rodriguez, University of Texas at San Antonio, USA

    Janet Solis Rodriguez, PhD, is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research focuses on educator preparation and development, with a particular emphasis on educator quality, professional learning, and long-term outcomes. Email: janet.solisrodriguez@utsa.edu

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Published

2025-09-13

Issue

Vol. 16 (2025): American Journal of STEM Education

Section

Evidence-Based Innovations in STEM Teacher Preparation

How to Cite

Emenaha Miles, U., Leishsing, S., & Solis Rodriguez, J. . (2025). How student-led organizations shape STEM pre-service teachers’ sense of belonging. American Journal of STEM Education, 16, 77-94. https://doi.org/10.32674/f46x4b78