Buscando un Modelo a Seguir: Mentorship Experiences of Latina/o College Students at Southern Hispanic-Serving Institutions

• In Event: Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Latinx Student Outcomes, and STEM Careers

Abstract

This study examines Latino/a students’ experiences with mentorship and its influence on their college persistence at Southern HSI’s. Rendón’s (1994) Validation Theory frames the study to understand Latino/a’ perceptions regarding mentorship as a needed form of validation. Secondary data from two qualitative research projects aiming Latino’s and Latina’s experiences with mentorship as undergraduate college students revealed the role that mentorship plays in their academic support, sense of belonging, and consequently, college persistence.

Authors

• Hilda Cecilia Contreras Aguirre, New Mexico State University

• Steve Luis, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

• Rosa Maria Banda, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

• Elsa M. Gonzalez, University of Houston