Exploring the Latina/o Familial Dimensions of the First-Year College Experience

• In Event: 33.079 - Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: 33.079-15 - Race, Ethnicity, and Emerging Identities

Abstract

Latina/o students have well-documented familial cultural values that make this population an ideal candidate for research on family involvement. This qualitative study explores the experiences of four Latina/o families during the students’ transition to and through their first year of college at a regional four-year institution in order to inform the policies and practices that higher education professionals employ to involve families during the college years. Interviews with students, parents, and siblings revealed a deep desire for more information and an inclination to share that information beyond their immediate home networks. This research has implications for increasing postsecondary engagement, persistence, and success for Latinas/os, as well as students from other underrepresented groups with non-dominant culture family structures, attitudes, and behaviors.

Authors

• Nydia C. Sanchez, University of North Texas

• Patrick Vasquez, University of North Texas

• Ivonne Solano, University of North Texas

• Margarita Perez, University of North Texas

• Diana Gomez, Texas Woman's University

• Catherine Prieto Olivarez, Dallas County Community College District

• Ah Ra Cho, University of North Texas

• Amy J. Fann, University of North Texas

• Amanda E. Assalone, Southern Education Foundation, Inc.