"Am I Supposed to be Here?": The Sense of (Dis)Belongingness of Rural Latinx Undergraduate Students

• In Event: Building Pathways: Class, Rurality, and Belonging in Higher Education

Abstract

This study explored the sense of belongingness of 15 rural Latinx students at a research-intensive, four-year Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in California. Using a Chicana/Latina feminist pláticas methodology, 30 conversations were conducted. The study, guided by Strayhorn's (2012) sense of belonging framework, identified three themes: the concealment of rural Latinx identity, the impact of a lack of campus diversity on belonging, and a need for tailored support services. These findings highlight the challenges of rural Latinx students and the impact of rurality on higher education experiences. This study highlights the significance of acknowledging the distinctive experiences of Latinx students not just by racial backgrounds but also by taking geographic backgrounds within the context of a Hispanic-serving institution in an urban setting.

Author

• Daniel Rios, University of California - Santa Barbara