Community Cultural Wealth of Hispanic Engineering Students: A Study of Social Networks
- Conference
- Location
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Canyon, Texas
- Publication Date
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March 10, 2024
- Start Date
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March 10, 2024
- End Date
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March 12, 2024
- Page Count
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15
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--45368
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/45368
- Download Count
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20
Paper Authors
Benjamin C. Flores University of Texas at El Paso
Dr. Benjamin C. Flores joined the faculty of the University of Texas at El Paso in 1990 after receiving his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University. He is the Forrest O. and Henrietta Lewis Professor of Electrical Engineering and the Director of the University of Texas System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
Nidia Banuelos University of Wisconsin - Madison
Dessaray Gorbett
Dr. Gorbett is a trained psychologist with a master’s in Clinical Psychology and Ph.D. in General Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso. training in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
Ariana (Ari) Arciero University of Texas at El Paso
Ms. Ariana Arciero is the Associate Director of the UT System LSAMP program and oversees the daily operation of all aspects of the state-wide Alliance. Ms. Arciero has done extensive research on STEM retention strategies and has published multiple articles focusing on these topics.
Ross J. Benbow University of Wisconsin - Madison
Abstract
In Texas, the population segment of college-eligible Hispanics is growing faster than any other ethnic/racial group, but the segment’s lower rates of entry into engineering have profound impacts on growth and innovation in the U.S. economy. Our asset-based research is part of a growing number of efforts that investigate the resources Hispanic students use to navigate the higher education system, which is not necessarily designed to serve them (Yosso, 2005). Assets from students’ communities, families, languages, cultures, and experiences bolster students as they pursue their education and career goals (Acevedo & Solorzano, 2021). This paper presents first-year results from a four-year mixed methods study conducted in partnership with the University of Texas System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (UT System LSAMP). In spring 2023, we surveyed (N=159) and interviewed (N=22) Hispanic engineering majors in their junior year who attended one of eight institutions in the UT System. We asked students questions about their Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) and measured the contours of their social support networks. These contours included features of their social networks, the forms of cultural wealth inculcated and activated in students' social networks, and the relationships that exist between students' social networks, sense of belonging, and engineering identity. These latter two variables are important predictors of degree attainment and commitment for historically marginalized students (Chemers et al., 2011; Nuñez, 2009).
Flores, B. C., & Banuelos, N., & Gorbett, D., & Arciero, A. A., & Benbow, R. J. (2024, March), Community Cultural Wealth of Hispanic Engineering Students: A Study of Social Networks Paper presented at 2024 ASEE-GSW, Canyon, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--45368
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