A Critical Race Nepantlera Methodological Approach to Rural Latinx College Access

• In Event: Reimagining Rural Justice: Critical, Cultural, and Historical Perspectives on Education and Belonging

Abstract

Aware of the structural and spatial barriers that rural Latinx students face in pursuing higher education, the research team prioritized student well-being over traditional notions of objectivity in research by employing a critical race nepantlera conceptual and methodological approach (CRNM). Through CRNM, they actively supported rural Latinx high school seniors’ access to higher education by (a) assisting with college applications, (b) emotionally validating students’ college concerns, and (c) connecting them to institutional resources. This approach reflects a commitment to equity and community-rooted care. Implications for rural-serving schools and rural educational researchers highlight the importance of relational practices and culturally sustaining methodologies in addressing systemic and educational inequities in rural, geographically isolated areas.

Authors

• Mayra Puente, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Lupita Romo-González, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Marlene Lopez Torres, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Melissa Romero, University of California - Santa Barbara