Degree Date

4-2020

Document Type

Dissertation - Public Access

Degree Name

Ed.D. Doctor of Education

Academic Discipline

Higher Education Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Jamal Scott

Second Advisor

Dr. Nathanial Cradit

Third Advisor

Dr. Patricia Granados

Abstract

This qualitative case study explored sense of belonging among 15 U.S.-born and foreign-born Latinx students at a community college designated as a Hispanic serving institution. To further explore sense of belonging among these students, semi-structured interviews were conducted with both groups of students. The results indicated that U.S.-born Latinx students contributed sense of belonging to instructors who displayed characteristics of equal treatment, genuineness, and support in and outside of the classroom. Instructors who displayed these characteristics made students feel more connected to the instructor and to the college as a whole. Results also indicated that foreign-born Latinx students credited their sense of belonging to being accepted by peers. Joining student clubs was a high contributor to their sense of belonging. Foreign-born students shared that if it were not for joining student clubs, where they share similarities with other students, they would not have felt like they fit in or belong in the college.

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