Latina Undergraduates Finding and Fighting for Coyolxauhqui to Be Exitosas on Their Own Terms

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Thirteen
  In Roundtable Session: Focusing on Assessing Experiences of Historically Marginalized Student Groups (Table 7)

Abstract

This research shares testimonios from Latina undergraduates attending a 4-year PWI in the Western U.S. to better understand how Latina undergraduates define and measure their success. Traditional success measures, like graduation and persistence rates, are based on the institutions’ values and do not fully represent Latinas. The Latina undergraduates in this study defined success as academic achievement, career attainment, familsmo, comunidad, and personal growth and well-being. By defining and understanding their success in these multiple ways, the Latina undergraduates were able to heal their bodymindspirit and put Coyolxauhqui back together. A better understanding of Latina undergraduates' measures of success will help higher education institutions to support them to become exitosas on their own terms.

Author

• Lauren R. Contreras, Northern Arizona University
  Presenting Author