Undocumented Latinx Students Persisting Into Higher Education Through Appreciative Inquiry

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Creating Pathways to Support Underrepresented Students

Abstract

Undocumented Latinx students are currently the most disenfranchised racial/ethnic groups in the United States. The Latinx populations in many states have created a sense of urgency regarding socioeconomic concerns. This cultural shift is re-framing the debate on access to higher education, in-state tuition benefits and labor market prospects. This paper examines the potential implications researching undocumented students through the theoretical framework of Appreciative Inquiry and its 4-D model can have for social justice, leadership and cultivating a growth-mind set. A semi-structured qualitative interview protocol was implemented with 15 undocumented Latinx students. Students selected transferred from a California Community College to a California 4-year public research institution. Findings indicated the experiences these students encounter during the transfer process.

Author

• Morgan Ponder, University of California - San Diego