Women in Aviation: A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Needs and Wants Necessary to Successfully Graduate From a Four-year Degree Institution

Despite the increased awareness of gender and race equality movements, today\u27s population of minority women in aviation is still underrepresented. This research focused on minority women who want to pursue a career in the aviation field and what factors affect their level of success in a specialized aviation higher education institution. This qualitative research aimed to bridge the existing gap in the literature related to minority women in aviation and their needs and wants to complete their four-year degree. The research objective was to raise awareness for equality of race and gender in aviation higher education institutions and explore the needs and wants that could lead to academic success for minority women. The qualitative research design conducted semi-structured interviews with 6 students who identify as a minority woman defined by conditions set upon by the researchers. Open communication, friendship and community, and positive faculty support were identified as the perceived needs and wants of minority female students in aviation. These findings can be used to better serve underrepresented students in an aviation specialized higher education institution