Latinx Spatial Community and Belonging in Higher Education

• In Event: Critical perspectives on the experiences of students of color

Abstract

Latinx college students’ experiences are shaped by intersecting systems of race, class, and gender, which influence how they navigate systems of power within higher education. Theoretically, this study introduces a Latinx spatial belonging framework, examining physical, relational, structural, and institutional spaces in relation to students’ identities. Empirically, this research employs a case study, utilizing reflexive thematic analysis, to explore how students navigate campus spaces and what the concept of community means to them. The results identify specific campus areas where students feel they belong, find support from peers with similar backgrounds and experiences, encounter a competitive academic culture, and highlight the need for more diverse faculty. Overall, each space provides new insights into how Latinx students navigate higher education.

Author

• Arlyn Y. Moreno Luna, University of California - Los Angeles