Latina/o College Student Leadership: Emerging Theory, Promising Practice examines Latina/o college student leadership and leadership development in higher education. This edited collection examines emerging frameworks, empirical research, leadership models, essays, and promising practices from the perspectives of scholars, educators, practitioners, and activists. Latina/o student leadership is analyzed through the lens of various institutional contexts (e.g. large research institution, community college, Hispanic-serving institution) as well as diverse intra-institutional contexts (e.g. academic, student organizations, student government, fraternities and sororities). The focus on theory and practice within various contexts, combined with an emphasis on student voice, helps provide deeper insight into how Latina/o students experience leadership in higher education, as well as how to promote and support the leadership development of Latina/o college students.
Although empirical evidence indicates that HSIs (Hispanic Serving Institutions) are making some progress in recognizing that enhancing the racial and cultural experiences of Latino/a/x students, “Latinx-enhancing” is part of their role as institutions that enroll and serve large numbers of minoritize students (Garcia, 2019), there are still institutional gaps on prioritizing opportunities for Latino/a/x students to engage in leadership development. Latino/a/x students often rely on informal out-of-college support systems found in their community-- comunidad, such as family and peers to thrive within college (Ceballo, 2004; Easley, et al, 2012), it is important to assist them in their development and implementation of strengths-based problem-solving communication approach (Guerra, 2015, 2016). ENDORSEMENTS: "This book is valuable to scholars and practitioners of higher education, especially those at minority-serving institutions invested in culturally relevant approaches to student success and asset-based development—particularly in relation to Latinx students and communities. Overall, the book paints a beautiful portrait of culturally responsive leadership that is rooted in partnership with the students we serve." — Christian A. Bracho, California State University, Long Beach "The manuscript presents a perspective that has been untapped at HSIs- the student, student leadership and the student advocacy that is required to improve and intentionally influence HSI development. To date, no other work has been developed that addresses the role of the student in growth and servingness at HSIs." — Paloma Vargas, Oxnard College
Latino Educational Leadership acknowledges the unique preparation and support for both Latinx educational leaders and Latino communities needed throughout the education and policy pipeline. While leadership in communities exists for educational purposes, this effort focuses on the institutional aspect of Latino Educational Leadership across K-12 schools and university settings. The purpose of this book is to create a greater collaborative focus on Latino Educational Leadership by inviting scholarly contributions and insights from both established and up-and-coming scholars. Latino Educational Leadership also advocates for the preparation of all leaders as well as the preparation of Latinx educational leaders, to serve Latino communities. Our impetus on Latino Educational Leadership primarily stems from the changing demographics of our country. As of Fall 2017, Latinx student enrollment in K-12 schools reached an all-time high, with Latinxs comprising 26.8% of the nation’s public school enrollment. Postsecondary level Latinx student enrollment has also improved; rising from 25% in 2005 to 37% in 2015. Given this growth, particularly at the K-12 level, there has been an increasing urgency to prepare and support more Latinx educational leaders. Their rich cultural and linguistic connections to communities help them more readily understand and meet the needs of Latino students and families. Aside from enrollment growth, Latinxs have made record strides in postsecondary attainment; between 2003-04 and 2013-14, bachelor's degrees more than doubled from 94,644 to 202,412, master's degrees conferred rose from 29,806 to 55,965, and doctoral degrees rose from 5, 795 to 10,665. Despite such promising gains, concern has not waned over how to best address the challenges this diverse student population continues to face in accessing, persisting, and matriculating across the P-20 Pipeline. There is still work to be done, as only 11% of all bachelor’s degrees, 9% of all master’s degrees, and 7% of all doctoral degrees were awarded to Latinxs in 2013-14. In particular, there is increasing urgency to address how higher education institutions can better prepare, develop, and retain Latinx leaders and scholars, who will serve and meet the needs of Latinx college students to ensure their academic success. Thus, the purpose of this book is to advance the knowledge related to serving Latino communities and preparing Latinx leaders.
Latina Leadership focuses on the narratives, scholarly lives, pedagogies, and educational activism of established and emerging Latina leaders in K-16 educational environments. As the first edited collection foregrounding the voices of Latina educators who talk back to, with, and for themselves and the student communities with whom they work, this volume highlights the ways in which these leaders shape educational practices. Contributors illustrate, through their grounded stories, how they navigate institutionalized oppression while sustaining themselves and their communities both in and outside of the academy. The collection also outlines the many identities embedded within the term "Latina," showcasing how Latina scholars grapple with various experiences while seeking to remain accountable to each other and to their families and communities. This book serves as a model and a source of support for emerging Latina leaders who can learn from the stories shared in this volume.
This book provides Latino students with a step-by-step roadmap for navigating the college process—from overcoming cultural barriers to attending college, to selecting the right school, to considering advanced degrees. The Latino community is the fastest growing minority group in America, and quickly becoming a major player in America's workforce. Unfortunately, Latinos encounter cultural and societal obstacles that can hinder academic achievement. This inspirational guide gives Latino students practical skills for advancing in a college environment. The Latino Student's Guide to College Success: Second Edition, Revised and Updated provides a blueprint for collegiate success. The first eight chapters guide students through subjects such as selecting a college, navigating the application process, forming effective study habits, accessing student support services, and planning for advanced degrees. The second part is comprised of eight inspirational stories by Latino graduates sharing their college experiences. Lastly, a third section features a listing of colleges with a record of graduating the most Latinos, as well as a list of the top ten colleges with the most undergraduate Latino students. The revised and updated second edition of this popular book features the latest economic and demographic changes that have emerged since the first edition was published. It also includes six new chapters introducing the impact of technological advancements and changes in cultural trends.
Researchers, institutional leaders, government policy makers, and leading foundations note the significant role an educated Latina/o population plays in the nation, future workforce, and democracy. This longitudinal study examines the experiences in U.S. colleges and universities that prepare Latina/o students for participation in American democracy and roles in communities and across industries. This study controls background characteristics and predispositions to determine the effect of Latina/o college experiences on civic awareness, commitment of becoming a community leader, and leadership development. Guided by Astin's Involvement Theory and Nora, Barlow and Crisp's Student/Institution Engagement Model, this study employed logistic and multivariate regression analyses on a national sample of 2,164 Latina/o college students who were first-time, full-time freshmen at four-year colleges and universities. The 2004 CIRP Freshmen and 2008 College Senior Surveys were merged with IPEDS institutional data for the study. Findings indicate that college cross racial interactions, attending racial/cultural awareness workshops, and participating in political demonstrations predict Latina/o participation in ethnic/racial student organizations, all of which also predict increases in the personal goal of becoming a community leader. Other predictors of community leadership values are associated with negative cross racial interactions, leadership ability, and performing volunteer work. Civic awareness is fostered by attending a Hispanic Serving Institution, positive cross racial interactions, attending cultural/racial awareness workshops, social agency, and confidence in leadership ability. Latina/os' leadership development (self-ratings change) is associated with voting in student elections, positive cross racial interactions, attending cultural/racial awareness workshops, social agency, and performing volunteer work. In terms of differences among Latina/os, non-native English speakers are more likely to join racial/ethnic organizations, show high civic awareness, and commitment to becoming a community leader. The lower engagement of native English speakers is an area of concern since they have potential for civic leadership. In another area of concern, Latinas are less likely than males to show increases in their leadership ability self-ratings in college. This suggests challenges remain in terms of increasing Latina leadership. The paradox is Latinas are involved in increasing numbers and capacities in student organizations and leadership roles, yet this does not translate to increase Latina leadership. The study extends previous findings indicating diversity-oriented college activities and experiences have a significant and positive effect on student social and civic outcomes. Implications for research, policy and practice are discussed.
This timely volume challenges the ongoing underrepresentation of Latina women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and highlights resilience as a critical communal response to increasing their representation in degree programs and academic posts. An Asset-Based Approach to Advancing Latina Students in STEM documents the racialized and gendered experiences of Latinas studying and researching in STEM in US colleges, and centers resilience as a critical mechanism in combating deficit narratives. Adopting an asset-based approach, chapters illustrate how Latinas draw on their cultural background as a source of individual and communal strength, and indicate how this cultural wealth must be nurtured and used to inform leadership and policy to motivate, encourage, and support Latinas on the pathway to graduate degrees and successful STEM careers. By highlighting strategies to increase personal resilience and institutional retention of Latina women, the text offers key insights to bolstering diversity in STEM. This text will primarily appeal to academics, scholars, educators, and researchers in the fields of STEM education. It will also benefit those working in broader areas of higher education and multicultural education, as well as those interested in the advancement of minorities inside and outside of academia. Elsa M. Gonzalez is Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of Houston, USA. Frank Fernandez is Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of Mississippi, USA. Miranda Wilson earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Houston, USA.
In Learning to be Latino, Reyes paints a vivid picture of Latino student life, outlining students' interactions with one another, with non-Latino peers, and with faculty, administrators, and the outside community. Reyes identifies the normative institutional arrangements that shape the social relationships relevant to Latino students' lives on these campuses.
Social justice and leadership education are inextricably linked. In order to move social justice forward, we need to develop leaders with knowledge, skills, and values to engage effectively in the leadership process. We need socially just leaders now more than ever. At a time when our elected and appointed officials agree on very little, our communities are divided and distrustful of one another, and individual citizens struggle for fairness in the face of discrimination, society is at a crossroad. In one direction lies the reproduction of oppression and marginalization, continued distrust, and further fragmentation. In the other, a route toward healing, compassion, and fairness. How then do we prepare our leaders of tomorrow to walk the path of justice rather than take the road to ruin? Changing the dominant narratives in society involves preparing skilled social critics and knowledgeable advocates for positive and sustainable change through education. However, when leadership education fails to consider social justice issues, or when social justice education omits leadership learning, both fall short of their goals. This texts links issues of social justice, equity, and equality, to leadership knowledge, skills, and values, with the intent of offering theoretical, practical, and policy recommendations to improve the work of educators charged with preparing undergraduates for the complexities of leadership in all its forms. Collectively, the contributors inform much needed practices and pedagogies toward socially just leadership education. No single one of us can change the narrative alone, but together, we can amplify the voices of those leading toward justice. The perspectives offered here are but a sample of the work being done to make the future a brighter place for all. We invite you to be part of the conversation.
How can formal student organizations in secondary and post-secondary education leverage the development of student leadership capacities? After describing the historical and current significance of student organizations, this volume explores effective organizational structures to promote leadership growth. It then focuses on identity-based and professional groups, and how educators can build stronger connections to keep students involved throughout their educational careers. Readers will learn about research-based ideas regarding: How student organizations should be structured and supported to optimize leadership development for the students who participate within them. How to create a campus environment that supports students from all backgrounds in exploring their leader identity and growth. The Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Student Leadership explores leadership concepts and pedagogical topics of interest to high school and college leadership educators. Issues are grounded in scholarship and feature practical applications and best practices in youth and adult leadership education.
