The Power of Cross-Racial Interactions: Students’ Experiences at an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution

• In Event: Race and Contemporary Contexts

Abstract

Many high school students are coming to college from highly segregated environments and often have their first interaction with diverse others in college. This study examines how juniors and seniors at a public Emerging Hispanic-serving institution in the Southwest experience cross-racial interactions during college. Specifically, this study examines the differing experiences of Latina/o, African American, White students. In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 students who identified with one of the three aforementioned racial groups. Findings revealed that all students experienced barriers to cross-racial interactions; however, African American and Latina/o students experienced similar barriers to cross-racial interaction. White students experienced fewer barriers to cross-racial interaction and students in multiracial organizations, regardless of race, experienced the fewest barriers to cross-racial interaction.

Author

• Brighid M. Dwyer, Villanova University