Publication Date

Spring 5-8-2023

Document Type

Action research project: Open access

Degree Name

MA Higher Education Leadership

Department

Leadership Studies

Abstract

The purpose of my research was to understand the experiences of Latina first-generation college students at the University of San Diego, a predominantly White institution. Six Latinas participated in a series of group platicas to share testimonios with one another and build community. One research question that guided this study was: “How can the self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and academic achievement of first-generation Latina students be enhanced in a predominantly White institution?” Findings suggested participants’ negative experiences with faculty and White classmates impacted their sense of belonging and academic self-efficacy. Most participants worried how they will continue to finance college and struggled to find academic and financial resources. Recommendations include having a physical space first-generation students can access and find resources, additional cultural sensitivity training for students, and mentorship training for faculty advisors.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a CC BY License.

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