In 2023, Envision Utah collected responses from approximately 2,000 students about their perceptions of higher education. Students ages 13 and older, high school students, or recent graduates shared their thoughts on their plans and perceptions of barriers to accessing education.
The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) at Utah State University recently published a research summary analyzing the data. This report aims to provide insight into student perspectives so that potential solutions are data-driven.
“We have an opportunity to provide targeted support based on student perceptions,” said Karen Hite Huntsman Endowed Professor in the USU Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and founding director of UWLP. said Susan Madsen, CEO and Director. “There are many actionable things that emerge from this research brief, and in fact, parents, community members, religious leaders, teachers, and school officials can start today by showing their support for young women. They can share information about educational opportunities (including how to pay for them) and gradually remove the barriers that create doubt in their minds.”
Utah girls’ secondary school students are ambitious about their academic plans. In fact, 67.1% of young women said they would attend a four-year college (compared to 63.2% of young men). Among women who planned to pursue further education or training, 69% of young women planned to start immediately. In contrast, 42.2% of young men were more likely to delay pursuing education until they completed their religious vocation (compared to 12.2% of young women).
Students cited tuition fees, living costs, book costs, mental health, the need to work, and what to study as challenges. As the 2022 report notes, women continue to have greater concerns than men about these topics.
Financial barriers remain a top concern for young women and men in Utah, with young women highly concerned about paying for tuition, living expenses, and materials. This concern is not unfounded. Utah still has the worst gender pay gap in the country, with women earning 73 cents for every dollar earned by men.
“This disparity increases women’s concerns that college tuition will not provide sufficient economic benefit,” said John M. Huntsman, associate professor of marketing at USU’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. said Matthew D. Meng, author of the study summary. “Increasing educational attainment generally reduces unemployment and increases incomes. The fact that women do not experience this at the same rate as men is deplorable.”
Among the barriers identified, mental health showed the greatest differences between men and women. Female students expressed significant concerns about feeling a sense of belonging to the higher education community. Female students also report more safety-related issues such as bullying, sexual harassment/assault, or a combination, so their concerns about feeling like they belong in a new environment are understandable. Masu.
The study also found that female students in Utah have different expectations than male students. Women expect to become well-rounded people, understand the world more deeply, and learn about topics that interest them. Male students reported higher career-related expectations and, surprisingly, were more likely to report expecting to find a spouse/partner as part of their higher education experience.
“Lack of educational attainment can have lifelong negative effects,” Meng said. “To have the greatest impact, it is important to take proactive steps early to empower Utah’s students.” You need to understand the problem.”
The report offers the following recommendations to reduce barriers for female students in Utah.
Increased financial support: Additional financial support is critical and we must continue our efforts to develop and expand scholarship programs and partnerships. Addressing the gender pay gap could help more women justify investing in education. Improved accessibility of information: Students need better information about applications, financial aid, and career planning. It is important to promote higher education opportunities and career fields. Mental health support: In addition to expanding resources to support students’ mental health, measures to address the root causes of mental health problems, such as promoting a supportive environment, are a top priority. Should. Increased Representativeness: Efforts to recruit, hire, and retain faculty and staff that reflect the broader population will benefit Utah’s higher education institutions.
Meng is optimistic that “a cultural shift will likely be needed, led by Utah’s highest level community and faith leaders.” “By promoting a more progressive narrative on gender equality, influencers can encourage families to prioritize their daughters’ education, help close the educational gap in the long term, and help broader society It can encourage change.”
Click here to read the full report. For more information, please visit the UWLP website (utwomen.org).
“Bold Progress” includes “advanced higher education achievement” as one of its focus areas. Click here for more information.
