Understanding Undocumented Community College Students’ Experiences During Politically Turbulent Times

• In Event: Underexamined Student Experiences

Abstract

Just over a year into the presidency of Donald Trump, research suggests that undocumented students have experienced increasingly negative campus climates (Andrade, 2017; Southern Poverty Law Center, 2016). Thus, we examine the effect of the election results on college campuses for undocumented and DACAmented students (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Specifically, we aim to address the experiences of undocumented students at community colleges. This paper is part of a larger case study where we conducted individual interviews with faculty (N=25), staff (N=25), and students (N=60) and follow-up focus groups with students at four-year and two-year institutions. We draw from focus group data to highlight community college students’ experiences during these politically turbulent times.

Authors

• Darsella Vigil, Unversity of Denver

• Susana Maria Munoz, Colorado State University - Fort Collins

• Elizabeth Jach, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Marisela Rodriguez-Gutierrez, Colorado State University - Fort Collins