Stephen Cole

Stephen Cole, leading professor of Sociology at SUNY-Stony Brook, investigated why talented minority students so rarely pursue academic careers. Cole combed data from survey research, focus groups, and other sources to examine what factors influence and alter the career choices of high-achieving minority youths throughout their college tenure. His work examined the relationship of students with faculty role models, the effect of students' perceptions of their academic ability relative to those around them, and the continued impact of racial stereotyping. Cole also explored the general hierarchy of career preferences among students and looked at methods for increasing the pool of minority college professors.