Luchando Juntos: LatinX College Students Articulate LatinX Identity at Historically White Institutions
Maria Saldana, Jessica Trochez, Cindy Hernandez, B.S., Ollie Trac, Alex Colson, Jeannette Mejia, M.S., Della V. Mosley, Ph.D.

Date & Time Fri 10/18/19 04:10 – 05:00 PM
Location: University of Miami, Student Center

Abstract: 

There is a dearth in the literature regarding LatinX identity development at historically white institutions (HWI). Córdova (2019) suggests that attending an HWI has negative impacts on LatinX college students’ perception of their identities and well-being. More research that aims to understand the experience of ethnic identity development for LatinX students at HWIs is needed. The current study explores how LatinX/Hispanic identified college students attending HWIs express their ethnic identity. The participants, eleven LatinX-Hispanic-identified students attending HWIs, were part of a larger study focused on college students of Color and their healing. Dimensional analysis within the constructivist grounded theory paradigm (Kools, McCarthy, Durham, & Robrecht, 1996; Neville & Cross, 2017) and an intersectional lens (Crenshaw, 1989) were utilized. The core dimension, “Positioning,” emerged from each narrative where participants positioned themselves through: (1) Personal Experiences/Observations, (2) Intersectional/Systemic Awareness, (3) Cultural Authenticity, (4) Resistance, (5) Community, (6) Distancing, and (7) Acknowledging Privilege. Findings highlight the importance of cultural authenticity, community, and representation for LatinX/Hispanic-identified students at HWIs. 

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