Familismo in the Academy: Challenges and Strategies among Latina Graduate and Professional Students

Latina women have outpaced their Latino male counterparts in holding advanced degrees since 2010 (Mora and Lopez 2023). It is evident that although Latina students are making significant strides in increasing the educational attainment in their ethnic group, they are still severely underrepresented when compared to their counterparts across racial and gender groups. Through 64 semi-structured interviews with Latinas in graduate and professional programs across the U.S., I explore the challenges and strategies that Latina students face and implement as they navigate academia. I find that Latina students experience a familismo paradox that describes the phenomenon that although Latina students often face contradictions from their families, the values instilled in them provide unique support. Latina students also often come from families with lower levels of education and income and lack access to educational resources. Still, their academic outcomes are making strides comparable to white students. I also find that Latina students apply these familismo values to the academy and on social media to build community and refashion their identities. Lastly, I present three recommendations that Latina students suggest for higher education institutions to support them better, such as increasing funding opportunities, hiring faculty of color, and creating efforts that integrate their families. Latina students are entering advanced degree programs more than ever, so it is important for institutions to meet their particular needs.