Undergraduate Experiences and Student-Faculty Interactions That Promote Graduate Degree Aspirations for Latinx Students

• In Event: 45.041 - Enhancing Academic Outcomes

Abstract

This paper identifies undergraduate experiences and student-faculty interactions that promote Latinx students' graduate degree aspirations. Students who indicate graduate degree aspirations during their freshman year, earn higher GPAs in college, engage in research, and tutor students were associated with an increased likelihood of indicating graduate degree aspirations at the end of their undergraduate career. Students who were encouraged to pursue a graduate degree and received letters of recommendation from faculty were also associated with an increased likelihood of graduate degree aspirations. Completing a remedial course was associated with a slight decrease in graduate degree aspirations. To promote graduate degree aspirations, these findings suggest faculty should validate Latinx students ability and nurture graduate school conversations in the classroom.

Author

• Katherine Hanna, University of California - Los Angeles