Aspiring Leaders and Social Change: Critical Public Education to Transform Our Communities

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Latinos are the largest ethnic minority group in the United States, but they continue to be underrepresented in colleges and universities. This symposium will highlight the individuals, and the institutional practices, that promote success among Latina/o students. The presenters examine 1) the centrality of mothers in shaping the educational aspirations of their daughters, 2) the influence of young men’s friendships in challenging traditional masculinity as a result of an emerging critical gender consciousness, and 3) Latinas commitment to the public good and their engagement in political work and activism on behalf of their communities. Each presentation will include a discussion about transforming the context of schooling through policy and programmatic interventions to increase access and opportunities for underrepresented students.

Sub Unit

• Division G - Social Context of Education / Division G - Section 5: Macro-analysis of the social contexts of teaching and learning

Chair

• Aida Hurtado, University of California - Santa Barbara

Papers

• Rehearsal to Freedom: Latina Immigrant Mother/Daughter Conversations on Collective Dreaming - Aida Hurtado, University of California - Santa Barbara; Laura F. Romo, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Latinx Men's Representations of Friendship in Higher Education - Ruby Hernandez, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Latinas Engaging the Public Good: Political Work and Social Activism - Karina Cervantez, Self-employed