Presenter: Francia G. Portacio, Sandra Gonzalez-Torres

Audience: Faculty, Staff, Administrators

Join Zoom Meeting: https://ccp.zoom.us/meeting/register/jlhqXOZETsyVdu6QwZNWWw

Learning Goals

• Explore differences between student and staff perspectives on support, mental health, and institutional outreach.
• Understand how subgroup differences (e.g., academic standing, geographic context) shape Latinx students’ experiences and needs. 
• Brainstorm culturally responsive strategies to strengthen belonging, engagement, and retention for Latinx students at community colleges.

Seminar Description

Community colleges open doors for many Latinx students, yet too many still leave before completing their goals. This session shares findings from a study at an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution that explored Latinx community college student retention through the voices of both Latinx students and the staff who support them. Through interviews and focus groups, students described how culture and the broader social context shape their sense of belonging, while also highlighting the importance of mental health and well-being. Staff, meanwhile, emphasized “servingness”—going above and beyond to help students—but were less attuned to students’ mental health needs. The study also revealed differences in experiences based on heritage, area of residence, and students' academic standing. Join us to learn about these key insights and explore how we can close the gap between institutional support and students’ lived experiences. Together, we’ll consider practical, culturally responsive strategies to strengthen belonging, engagement, and ultimately enhance retention for Latinx students at urban community colleges.