Latino Men & Community College Environments: Understanding How Belonging, Validation, and Resources Shape Experience

Abstract

<p>This phenomenological, qualitative study explored how Latino men at community colleges made sense of their campus environments and how those experiences influenced the college-going process. Using Harris and Wood's (2013, 2014) socio-ecological outcomes (SEO) model, this study included the perspectives of 130 Latino men who participated in focus groups at seven community colleges in the southwestern United States. The study found that professors, academic advisors, and peers played an important role in creating an environment that validated and fostered a sense of belonging. In addition, the study found that Latino men had difficulty accessing resources. Latino men expressed concern regarding transferring to a university and how that transition might influence access to resources. Findings suggest that Latino men may benefit from a sense of belonging and feelings of validation uniquely fostered by community college environments. Results also underscore gender and cultural norms for navigating resources and the transfer process.</p>