The Role of Racial Discrimination and Critical Intersectionality Awareness in Latina/o Students' Academic Outcomes

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 34
  In Roundtable Session: Latinx Identity Politics in Contested Institutional Spaces

Abstract

Bachelor degree completion rates for Latina/os continue to lag significantly behind other racial groups. A major source contributing to known racial educational inequalities can be attributed to the unequal exposure of racial discrimination experienced by Latina/o students in educational institutions. We examined how critical intersectionality awareness, that is, the awareness of how intersections of multiple social identities shape one’s social location and racial discrimination plays a role on the academic outcomes of Latina/os students. Results indicate a moderation effect by critical intersectional awareness. Despite the study limitations, our finding adds critical intersectional awareness to the list of resources deemed beneficial for maintaining positive academic outcomes among Latina/os in the face of racial discrimination.

Authors

• Marbella Uriostegui, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Kristine Molina, University of Illinois at Chicago