Dissertation

Latinas In Higher Education: Contributing Factors In Latina Students' Academic Success At A Four Year Public Institution

The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of Latina students in higher education in order to identify what factors have contributed to their academic success. Despite the significant body of research that exists on the experiences of Latinas in higher education, there is limited literature focusing on what contributes to the academic success of Latinas pursuing an undergraduate degree at four-year public institutions. Thus, I am interested in identifying the contributing factors of the persistence and ultimately graduation of Latinas from institutions of higher education. By conducting twelve semi-structured interviews and two focus groups with Latina students in their senior year at a four-year institution, the study examined their shared experiences through a critical race theory lens. There are two primary research questions associated with the study; these are: 1.What are the factors that contribute to the persistence of Latina students attending a four-year public institution of higher education? 2. What are the institutional resources in place that provide support to Latina students while they pursue their undergraduate degree? The findings of the study can then provide an insight in what can be done to support Latina students during their baccalaureate attainment journey.

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