In the last 2 decades, there has been an increase in the number of higher education institutions (HEI) establishing Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) positions to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) gaps and priorities. CDOs play an increasingly significant role in developing, evaluating, and advocating for policies and practices at…

This study presents a comparative analysis to measure the effect of a special program designed to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among Hispanic students at a Hispanic Serving Institution in Texas. In this study, it was hypothesized that the special program would deliver positive academic effects for the students…

"Racial Opportunity Cost" turns critical attention to the specific challenges faced by high-achieving students of color and gives educators a framework for recognizing and addressing these issues. Terah Venzant Chambers roots her discussion in the concept of racial opportunity cost, using a term borrowed from economics to refer to the…

The purpose of this study is to examine first-generation (FG) Latinas lived experiences and how they successfully navigate their roles as higher education professional staff. FG Latina professional staff were interviewed to understand how their identities as Latinas impact them in their higher education careers. Chicana Feminism (Delgado Bernal,…

Higher education perpetuates assimilationist ideas at odds with how an increasingly diverse student population makes meaning of their learning experiences. There is a heightened exigence to engage in inclusive and equity-minded teaching practices at Hispanic Serving Institutions where structural inequalities still prevail due to whiteness and…

Understanding the development of major educational policies is essential, especially federal policies integral to Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)--one of the fastest-growing types of postsecondary institutions in the United States, which collectively serve over two-thirds of Latina/o/x-identified college students. Accordingly, in this…

This narrative inquiry focuses on the coaching and mentoring experiences of a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) within an informal mentoring program in a College of Education at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The study examines the impact of mentoring and coaching on the GRA's professional development utilizing Yosso's Community Cultural…

This study examined the lived experiences of Latina mother-practitioners in student affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic affected individuals in a variety of ways, and as people continue to grapple with its evolution, exploring the experiences of Latina mother-practitioners ensures they are a part of research related to it.…

The problem addressed was the misalignment between Hispanic-serving institution's (HSIs) strategic plans and moving toward servingness. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry study was to explore the experiences, perceptions, and stories of higher education leaders participating in developing a strategic plan that aligned with moving…

This study examines the financial aid literacy of Latino students at an institution of higher education in the United States. Beginning with a review of the current literature on the topic and past studies. Utilizing the theoretical framework of Marcia Magolda-Baxter's (2009) theory of self-authorship along with the conceptual frameworks of…

There is a need to fully understand why Hispanic students are not as successful as other cohorts of students are when completing college. In past research, the focus has been on persistence and retention, but understanding the need for connection and feelings of campus immersion have been absent. The research questions investigated the barriers…

The overarching theme of this research was to explore different aspects of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education experience across cultures and contexts in two engineering education communities, higher education and K-12. This dissertation offers new perspectives and resources to the engineering education community and…

This fact sheet presents information on: (1) Hispanic demographics; (2) Hispanic academic attainment; (3) Hispanic higher education; and (4) Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

Historically, higher education institutions have incorporated diverse disciplines into the academic structure in part to respond to student and societal demands as well as to signal institutional support for diversity and multiculturalism; one form of this curricular adaptation is the adoption of culture and identity fields (CIFs). Many of these…

Universities across the country are faced with the challenges of meeting the demands of an increasing diverse student population. In order to address this need, many efforts have been made focusing on recruitment strategies for a more diverse faculty. While these recruiting efforts are essential, little attention has been paid to retention. By…