Authentic Research for Latinx Community College Students

• In Event: Validating the College Experiences of Marginalized Students

Abstract

Undergraduate research has a positive impact on student retention and success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), but is not widely available at community colleges were many Latinx students begin their post-secondary trajectory. Building programs that provide Latinx community college students opportunity to work on authentic research is one way to draw and keep Latinx STEM majors. We describe an undergraduate research experience designed for Latinx community college students with the goal of identifying essential program elements that draw, retain, and propel students in STEM. Findings point to the importance of leadership, (re)privileging and recognizing non-traditional markers of merit, and making the program visible to Latinx students so they can see themselves as participants, as Latinx PhDs and scientists.

Authors

• Lisa S. Romero, California State University - Sacramento

• Jenna Tryon Polhemus, California State University - Sacramento

• Benjamin Saubolle-Camacho, California State University - Sacramento