A Conceptual Model of Academic Resilience: Implications for Research on Academically Successful Latino Students

• In Event: 75.060 - Roundtable Session 33
  In Roundtable Session: 75.060-3 - Roundtable 1: Social Justice in Access to Higher Education

Abstract

This paper examines the academic resilience exhibited by urban, low-income, first college generation Latino students, as they persisted from early education to law school. Methodologically, a two-phase, qualitative longitudinal study was used to examine the experiences of nine Latino law students. Findings led to a conceptual model of academic resilience that offers a culturally inclusive approach to examine Latino success. This model acknowledges the convergence and duality of a set of protective factors, within the context of risk factors, throughout the P-20 experience. Through their interactions, four individual protective factors emerge: a positive disposition towards education, optimism, hard work, and giving back which were all critical to the academic resilience of the nine Latino participants.

Author

• Daisy Denise Alfaro, California State University - Los Angeles