"La Cultura Cura: Implementing Culturally-Relevant Wellness Programs fo" by Valentina Valenzuela

Publication Date

Spring 5-12-2025

Document Type

Action research project: Open access

Degree Name

MA Higher Education Leadership

Department

Leadership Studies

Abstract

Latinx college students are the fastest growing demographic on college campuses. As this population continues to rise, institutions must adapt their programming to meet their unique needs. One key factor influencing Latinx success and retention is wellness. The purpose of this action research project was to investigate the relationship between culture and wellness and use this information to implement culturally-relevant wellness initiatives for Latinx students. The main research question that guided this study was: How can I incorporate culturally-relevant wellness events into United Front Multicultural Commons’ programming for Latinx students? I conducted three cycles that included a wellness event, plática and testimonios. The findings indicated that while the relationship between wellness and culture is complex, students are eager for institutional support that recognizes the intersectionality of these two factors. Recommendations include expanding services at the United Front Multicultural Commons, increasing Latinx representation and institutional funding for Latinx student initiatives and organizations at the University of San Diego.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a CC BY-NC-ND License.

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