(Black PR Wire) Detroit, Michigan — African American woman, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education researcher, Dr. Ezella McPherson is releasing the new book, "Dream on!: Supporting and Graduating African American Girls and Women in STEM" (ISBN: 978-1737273127). The book addresses the research question, “What are the lived experiences of African American women who remain in STEM majors and those who switch to social science and health science majors?”

In the beginning of the book, Dr. McPherson points out that in girlhood, African American women have a true love for science and math in primary and secondary schools. Although many of the African American women took advanced level math and science courses in high school, college is when they experienced challenges at a predominantly White institution (PWI), Town University (pseudonym).

In the middle chapters, as a part of this groundbreaking study, Dr. McPherson found that African American women who remain in STEM endured a hidden curriculum that created racial and gender inequalities with regards to limiting access to learning in STEM. The book also highlights that African American woman who left STEM majors were in fact pushed out of the STEM majors.

The latter chapters encourage readers to continue to dream by pursuing their dream college majors and career goals despite obstacles! Recommendations are made for instructors, administrators, and practitioners who want to support African American women in STEM.

The foreword of the book was written by Dr. Alexa Canady-Davis, the first African American woman neurosurgeon. Endorsers of the book are distinguished STEM scholars, Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, the current president of University of Maryland-Baltimore County and Dr. Sandra L. Hanson, professor emerita at Catholic University of America. The book is a must read for students who want to pursue STEM majors and medical degrees, families, educators, practitioners, and policymakers.

The official release date for the e-book and paperback are October 15, 2021. The e-book is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. The paperback will be available via IngramSpark and other retailers.

The book is timely as it will be launched prior to National STEM/STEAM Day on November 8, 2021.

About Dr. Ezella McPherson
Dr. Ezella McPherson is an educational consultant, student retention expert, and a researcher. She is author of the best-selling book, "Real Outreach: A Practical Guide to Retaining and Graduating College Students" (ISBN: 978-1737273103). She is also a first-generation, African American woman college graduate. She has over a decade of experience supporting students during their undergrad studies, including STEM majors. She is founder of Dr. McPherson Coaching, LLC, an education firm specializing in increasing college student retention and graduation rates. The education firm provides one-on-one coaching and workshops to students, families, professionals, and institutions. For additional information, visit the company website (www.drmcphersoncoaching.com). She obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and earned her master’s and doctorate degrees in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.