The future of ecology: ESA-SEEDS program impact on alumni

Background/Question/Methods

The mission of ESA’s flagship education program – SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability) – is to engage undergraduate minority students and diversify the field of ecology through mentoring and peer support in ecology careers.  In 2013, ESA engaged Formative Evaluation Research Associates (FERA) to conduct an independent evaluation of SEEDS from the period 2002-2013. With funding from the National Science Foundation, the survey was answered by SEEDS alumni students (N= 161) who participated in at least one of the SEEDS core programs: field trips, leadership meetings, travel awards to the ESA annual meeting and undergraduate research fellowships. The surveys were developed with input from the SEEDS advisory board and staff.

The survey included 1) Outcome measures which studied impacts on students’ education, career choices, community involvement and personal growth; and 2) Formative measures which explored the perceived value of SEEDS components and areas for enhancement and additional support. This poster will provide summary data on the SEEDS alumni outcome measure with a focus on demographics and current involvement within ecology; field of work and highest degree obtained. Data analysis was run through SPSS – version 21.0 with test of significance at p<0.05. 

Results/Conclusions

• Demographics: Of survey responses received from SEEDS Alumni 26% were male and 74% female.  When asked about their race or ethnicity, the responses indicate that 87% of past SEEDS students come from minority groups.
• Education:
  • Highest degrees completed after their participation with the SEEDS program; 59% Bachelors, 32% Masters, 5% PhD or Doctorate and 1% other Professional Degree.  However, we wanted to find out how many students are pursuing (P) or have completed (HC) a degree with emphasis in ecology or an ecology-related field; 1% P and 4% HC Certificates, 6% HC Associates Degrees, 3% P and 67% HC Bachelors, 22% P and 26% HC Masters, 18% P and 4% HC PhD or Doctorate and 1% P and 1% HC Professional Degree.
  • Impact for highest degree earned within Race and Ethnicity groups, our numbers are really impressive; 43% African American and 42% Native American alumni have a Master’s degree. 
  • Impact on Race and Ethnicity within highest degree earned we found that 42% of students with Master’s degree are Hispanic or Latino.  Only African American, Multiracial and Hispanic or Latino alumni have a PhD or Doctorate, but 50% of alumni that completed doctorate degrees are Hispanic or Latino.