An Examination of Sense of Belonging in Second Generation Afro-Caribbean College Women at a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Authors

  • Emmanuela Stanislaus Miami CodePath Local, USA
  • Amanda Wilkerson University of Central Florida, USA
  • Lynell Hodge University of Central Florida, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/bhncqt60

Keywords:

Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), Afro-Caribbean, second generation, sense of belonging, intersectionality

Abstract

Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) are classified by the percentage of the institution’s student population who self-identify as Hispanic (US Department of Education, 2021). While HSI designations are supposed to further support minoritized students, researchers studying HSIs have identified the need for more direct support. To further the conversation about the role HSIs play in the larger educational landscape we facilitated a case study that examined the experiences of second-generation Afro-Caribbean female students attending an HSI. This project aimed to analyze thoughtfully and intentionally in the hopes of highlighting the impact students' sense of belonging can have on their connection to campus. This qualitative case study evaluated the experiences of second-generation Afro-Caribbean female students and was guided by the following question: How can HSIs create a sense of belonging for second-generation Afro-Caribbean female students? Results highlight assessing sense of belonging among African Diasporic college at HSIs often may be excluded.

Author Biographies

  • Emmanuela Stanislaus, Miami CodePath Local, USA

    Dr. Emmanuela Stanislaus is the founder of Dr. Emmanuela Consulting which supports the success of women of color graduate students. Prior to starting Dr. Emmanuela Consulting, she spent over 17 years in higher education administration with progressive professional experience within large research I institutions. Her research centers on the experiences of Black college women, campus climate, first-generation students, and examining intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender.

  • Amanda Wilkerson, University of Central Florida, USA

    AMANDA WILKERSON, EdD, is a dynamic force in academia, relentlessly probing the depths of K-20 education to elevate human potential. A beacon for equity and excellence, she's reshaping the higher education landscape through her unwavering commitment to collaboration, community engagement, and transformative action. At the University of Central Florida's College of Community Innovation and Education, Dr. Wilkerson shines as an Assistant Professor, pushing boundaries and igniting change. Email: amanda.wilkerson@ucf.edu

  • Lynell Hodge , University of Central Florida, USA

    LYNELL S. HODGE, EdD, Lynell Hodge is a practitioner-scholar with two decades of higher education experience. Her research focus includes stress, vicarious/secondary trauma, mentoring, and culturally responsive pedagogical practices. Dr. Hodge has published several peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and presents at conferences regularly. Dr. Hodge earned her Doctorate from the University of Central Florida in Higher Education and currently serves as a Training Specialist who champions professional development for university faculty and staff. Email: lynell@ucf.edu

References

Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1(8), 139–167.

Deutscher, N. (2018). What Drives Second Generation Success? The Role of Education, Culture and Social Context. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecin.12899

Garcia, G. A. (2019). Defining “servingness” at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): Practical implications for HSI leaders. American Council on Education. https://www.equityinhighered.org/resources/ideas-and-insights/defining-servingness-at-hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis-practical-implications-for-hsi-leaders/

Garcia, G. A., & Dwyer, B. (2018). Exploring college students’ identification with an organizational identity for serving Latinx students at a Hispanic serving institution (HSI) and an emerging HSI. American Journal of Education, 124(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1086/695609

Gist-Mackey, A. N., Wiley, M. L., & Erba, J. (2018). “You’re doing great. Keep doing what you’re doing”: Socially supportive communication during first-generation college students’ socialization. Communication Education, 67(1), 52–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2017.1390590

Haynes, C., Joseph, N. M., Patton, L. D., Stewart, S., & Allen, E. L. (2020). Toward an understanding of intersectionality methodology: A 30-year literature synthesis of Black women’s experiences in higher education. Review of Educational Research, 90(6), 751–787. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654320946822

Jones. (2016). Authenticity in leadership: Intersectionality of identities. New Directions for Student Leadership, 2016(152), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.20206

Karaman, M. A., Lerma, E., Vela, J. C., & Watson, J. C. (2019). Predictors of academic stress among college students. Journal of College Counseling, 22(1), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocc.12113

Kalmakis, K. A., Chiodo, L. M., Kent, N., & Meyer, J. S. (2020). Adverse childhood experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and self-reported stress among traditional and nontraditional college students. Journal of American College Health, 68(4), 411–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1577860

McNair, T. B., Bensimon, E. M., & Malcom-Piqueux, L. (2020). From equity talk to equity walk: Expanding practitioner knowledge for racial justice in higher education. John Wiley & Sons.

Merriam, S. B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study application in education: Revised and expanded from case study research in education. Jossey Bass.

Muniz, H. (2021). How many college students are in the U.S.? Best Colleges. https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/how-many-college-students-in-the-us/

Mwangi, C. A., Thelamour, B., Ezeofor, I., & Carpenter, A. (2018). “Black elephant in the room”: Black students contextualizing campus racial climate within US racial climate. Journal of College Student Development, 59(4), 456–474. https://doi/10.1353/csd.2018.0042

Nunez, A. M., Hurtado, S., & Galdeano, E. C. (2015). Why study Hispanic-Serving Institutions? In A. M. Nunez, S. Hurtado, & E. C. Galdeano (Eds.), Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Advancing research and transformative practice (pp. 1–22). Routledge.

Nguyen, T. H., & Nguyen, B. M. (2018). Is the “first-generation student” term useful for understanding inequality? The role of intersectionality in illuminating the implications of an accepted—yet unchallenged—term. Review of Research in Education, 42(1), 146–176. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X18759280

Osterman, K. F. (2000). Students’ need for belonging in the school community. Review of Educational Research, 70, 323–367.

Osterman, K. F. (2010). Teacher practice and students’ sense of belonging. International research handbook on values education and student wellbeing, 239-260.

Patton, M. Q. (2002). Two decades of developments in qualitative inquiry: A personal, experiential perspective. Qualitative social work, 1(3), 261-283.

Pike, G. R., & Kuh, G. D. (2005). First-and second-generation college students: A comparison of their engagement and intellectual development. The Journal of Higher Education, 76(3), 276–300.

Porter, C. J. (2017). Articulation of identity in Black undergraduate women: Influences, interactions, and intersections. In L. D. Patton, & N. N. Croom (Eds.). Critical perspectives on Black women and college success (pp. 88–100). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68.

Stanislaus, E. P. (2020). We're here, we Exist: An exploration of how second-generation Afro-Caribbean college women make meaning of their race, ethnicity, and gender (Publication No. 4486) [Doctoral dissertation, Florida International University]. Higher Education Commons.

Steele, T. (2017). Retaining Black female college students: The effects of meritocracy on their ideas of success. College Student Affairs Leadership, 4(1), 7.

Strayhorn. T. (2012). College students’ sense of belonging: A Key to educational success for all students. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203118924

Strayhorn. (2019). College Students’ Sense of Belonging (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315297293

Thelamour, B., George Mwangi, C., & Ezeofor, I. (2019). “We need to stick together for survival”: Black college students’ racial identity, same-ethnic friendships, and campus connectedness. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 12(3), 266–279. https://doi/10.1037/dhe0000104

Walkington, L. (2017). How far have we really come? Black women faculty and graduate students’ experiences in higher education. Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, 39, 51-65.

Downloads

Published

2024-09-22

How to Cite

An Examination of Sense of Belonging in Second Generation Afro-Caribbean College Women at a Hispanic-Serving Institution. (2024). Journal of Underrepresented & Minority Progress, 8(SI(1). https://doi.org/10.32674/bhncqt60